The Impassioned Eye (Cartier-Bresson)
Released in 2003. My first film review.
Matt loaned me a DVD of The Impassioned Eye, a documentary about HCB two years ago or so. I watched the first ten minutes and found it so boring that I put it away. (I admit to reading just about everything I could find about HCB when I was starting out.)
A few days ago, I was switching channels when I saw it was on again without commercials, so I thought I’d give it another try.
The film was made about a year before the master left us. I forced myself to watch the entire film, hoping for some revelation. My conclusion was the same this time around: how they managed to make such a boring film about a guy who lead such an exciting life is beyond me.
The film consists mainly of HCB, sitting behind a desk with a bunch of prints and books in front of him. He rummages around in them and finds something that interests him and holds it up in front of his face for the camera. They cut to a full screen shot of the print and if you’re lucky HCB says something in French and the narrator translates into English.
Everything about the film is static: the camera, the narrator, the subjects. I went back and read the NY Times review which said it was a master class. If I had paid for this master class I would demand my money back.
In other words, if I haven’t said it clearly enough, this is a yawn, and a shame, and a wasted opportunity because rather than asking interesting questions, they let the old guy stare off into space half the time. Almost nothing about technique. The only point that comes across over and over is Geometry. Waiting for everything to be in the right place and letting the eye and brain react.
As if it wasn’t boring enough - the soundtrack is filled with slow classical piano, and they decided to include Arthur Miller since HCB did shooting on the set of the Misfits.
All that being said, I would recommend the film because there isn’t much else with HCB as the subject, but the filmmakers should return their union cards (if they have any).
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Comments
Comment from JeffK
Time: May 29, 2008, 1:28 pm
I’ve seen most of that HCB film and agree is boring and anything but a “master class.”
There is another documentary on Ansel Adams that is as bad. He sits there, picks up a print and makes a comment or 2. Very boring other than to see and hear AA a year or two before his death.
The HCB and the AA films are on Youtube in various incarnations if anyone wants to take a look.
Jeff
Comment from Lester
Time: May 29, 2008, 3:01 pm
Dave, when you’re ready to start filming “Beckerman’s New York” just let me know and I’ll start on the shooting script. You need to do it soon because I envision the opening interview to be conducted on the Cyclone roller coaster in soon to be condemned Coney Island. This documentary will contain plenty of action.
Comment from Craig Nisnewitz
Time: May 29, 2008, 7:56 pm
HCB was interviewed by Charlie Rose. The interview is on U Tube and is great. HCB really got into the thought process that lead to his photos.
Comment from Steve Rosenbach
Time: May 29, 2008, 8:29 pm
Ditto, Dave. I saw the HCB film on the 2nd last day of an otherwise excellent photo workshop. The other video we watched, which was far better, was about Sam Abell. In the film, he was very engaging. He walked through the making of several of his best photos, and besides talking about technique, he also spoke about his emotional connection to the process of seeing and making pictures.
Our workshop leader, the very talented Karen Gordon Schulman, had been a student of Abell’s, and she was able to add some personal and amusing narration to the video. I haven’t been able to find it - I’ll ask Karen, if anyone is interested.
Comment from Rory
Time: May 30, 2008, 4:24 am
Hi Dave. Can’t say I have seen the HCB video, or very many videos in general about photographers. It’s not something that bothers me as I would rather read about them at my own pace, with the accompanying reprints of their work. A book on a shelf will be picked up plenty of times over the years, whereas a video will be watched once and then gather dust. That said, there is a good tv documentary about Garry Winogrand posted here - http://www.jimarnold.org/downloads/winogrand/flash/ . I’ve watch this a few times, and always enjoyed it.
Rory
Comment from prophotolife
Time: May 30, 2008, 9:16 am
Craig mentioned the Charlie Rose interview, it really is worth watching. HCB is aloof and salty in the beginning but then breaks down a bit and starts carrying on a conversation. I actually mentioned the Charlie Rose interviews in my blog today…head to http://www.charlierose.com, do a search on “photographers” and you’ll find great interviews with Sally Mann, Roy Decarava, Mary Ellen Mark, Annie Liebovitz, Richard Avedon, and on and on. A great resource. - Jim T.
Comment from Maurice
Time: May 29, 2008, 11:15 am
I’m glad someone else feels the same way. I got that dvd from netflix and was bored out of my mind. HCB didn’t have much charisma in his old age. He seemed bothered by having to do the film at all.