Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Last of May


shopwindow doll
Today is Duan Wu Jie - the Dragon Boat Festival (Penny explains). In the general absence of celebration in Nether Edge we went to see Down in the Valley at the Showroom. A strangely arresting film in which American myth confronts American reality (at least that’s how I read it). The upshot is predictably violent, but the film is not without merit. Perhaps the high points are the skilful jump cut edits and, of course the music (Mazzy Star, particularly). Also showing is Flavela Rising, but this will have to wait till next time.

2 comments:

Joolz said...

Ah yes we saw Down in the Valley too (Sunaday I think)and came to pretty much the same asessment... thinking about how those particular kinds of myths are in US culture but not UK.
We also thought it was about the desolation and devastation of so much of the states ...

Guy Merchant said...

Yes a distinctively US flavour - the cowboy thing, guns BUT also, yes you're right, the recurring shots of the Sacramento freeway!!