29.7.08

on a mission...

I’m giving myself a challenge, and would like for you to help –

I want to write a group of poems, no less than five, based on film – keeping in mind that I don’t necessarily want the poem simply to retell the film. The poems do not have to be connected to each other. The pieces should spring from or react to the films in some manner – character, setting, theme, dialogue, action…

Here’s a list of films I have already successfully written about – in some form – and I’m pleased with the results:

Ordet
Aguirre, Wrath of God
The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant
No Direction Home
Winter Light
Through a Glass Darkly
The Silence
Eyes Wide Shut
Frankenstein
Bride of Frankenstein

I realize that I can’t will a poem into place – That’s not the type of writer I am, nor would that be my goal. The film and I must connect in some way.

Any ideas about ... or names of films?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

i like the idea of *willing* a poem, though. perhaps it is possible, even by your stating this goal. . . the pieces that begin to gel.

what about a wenders series (of course!). or, a cronenberg series; kurosawa, even. fellini begs for this?! seems like to find the connection you want, you may need to look more at the director, rather than the subject matter: the presentation of images, which is really all a poem is. . . isn't it?

i do look forward to this series!

Collin Kelley said...

The Seventh Seal
Three Colours Trilogy: Blue, White and Red
Wings of Desire
Pulp Fiction

Rachel Mallino said...

Sam, like Collin - I love Kieslowski and his films are pure poetry - Collin already listed the Three Colors series, I would also recommend
The Decalogue.

Totally love this idea.

I noticed you listed a Herzog movie, he has so many greats, I wonder if you could do a few more directed by him. Or even a poem that talks about his relationship with Klaus, which is a mad love story.

Lyle Daggett said...

The Moderns (dir. Alan Rudolph)

Bagdad Cafe (dir. Percy Adlon)

Insignificance (dir. by Nicholas Roeg)

Touch of Evil (dir. by Orson Welles)

Rhapsody in August (dir. Kurosawa)

Z (dir. by Costa-Gavras)

Bobby D. said...

breakfast at tiffanys

masked and Anonymous

M. C. Allan (Carrie, to most) said...

I like megalopoet's idea about doing a director series. How about a series of sonnets on the Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer ouevre?
(OK, I make joke. But I would pay to read the "Con Air" sonnets.)

How about Lone Star, Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, M? M seems like it would be rich for mining these days.

sam of the ten thousand things said...

Thanks for all the comments here -

I'm liking the idea of a series focused on a director - Nicole, Collin, Rachel, MC - I did complete three poems based on Ingmar Bergman's trilogy. So, I do like that idea.

I've become fascinated with Dreyer's Vampyr, and see it connected with Caligari - for one thing, both films used the same set designer. That, MC, is an interesting possibility. M is one of my favorite films. That's a possibility.

And Rachel, The Decalogue is one of my 10 favorite films. I like that idea as well - maybe focusing on parts 5 & 6 - and possibly 4. I'm very interested, of course, in the trilogy - especially Red.

Lyle, you mention Kurosawa. He interests me also - great, great director / Rashomon being my favorite of his works - Maybe the connections between Ran and Kagemusha.

D. Chedwick, I've always enjoyed Breakfast at Tiffany's. Hepburn is marvelous.

I'm continuing to explore the many possibilities.

LKD said...

No Country for Old Men

or:

Atonement

I might re-watch both and take up this challenge you've suggested.

I'm almost done reading Atonement. Makes me want to read more McEwan. But first, I must dive into No Country for Old Men. I can't wait to read it.

sam of the ten thousand things said...

I like both books and films, Laurel. McEwan's short stories are a great read.

Writing, in some form or manner, about other works of art is a great avenue for me. That's my bent, I think, if I have one.

Pamela Johnson Parker said...

I think it would be a real challenge for me to try this exercise. I'll let you know if I get a quintet. I'm thinking about Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

sam of the ten thousand things said...

Great idea, Pamela, and your choice is a good one.

pk said...

How else do you write a poem?


I'd suggest a Powell and Pressburger series:
A matter of Life and Death
I know where I'm going
Black Narcissus
The 49th Parallel
A Canterbury Tale
The life and Death of Colonel Blimp
Peeping Tom

a rich field of characters there.....or of course, lest we be too elevated
Are You Being Served the Movie
Carry on Up the Khyber
Carry on at your convenience
etc etc?

sam of the ten thousand things said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
sam of the ten thousand things said...

Mrs Slocombe, thanks for the visit. As for how else - I'm primarily moved to write by the arts and not, for example, current events. I rarely - and I don't know why - write with a focus on society or the world. Nature, yes; the world, no. There was a period when I wrote only about family or from a personal standpoint. That, for the most part, has passed.

Films by Powell & Pressburger move me to no end. Especially Black Narcissus. Every one you mentioned are a hammer to my head. Yes.

Lisa Nanette Allender said...

Just now catching up with everyone's blog.
Sam, I think the "series" idea is pretty spectacular(and challenging).
Do you know the India-fella, Satyjat(spell?) Ray--he did "Distant Thunder"--
a compelling film about um, coming-of-age(except it's a country and culture, as well as young people). ALL Fellini films should have a poem(at least one!)
Also, I understand the "writing about arts". One great work of art usually inspires other works, whereas current events tend to inspire didactic poems, limited in scope....