Film Favorites Friday: Chungking Express

This film has been on my watch list for so long after hearing others rave on and on about it.

My Josephine.

Nice washed-out film 'bout love, faith, a hint of xenophobia (?) and a laundromat. One of those rare shorts that I think is the perfect length and don't wish was much longer... (watch here)

Zoo Kid

TRIGGER WARNING: Drug Abuse, Child Prostitution, STDs 
*also SPOILERS/ graphic images*

I guess I just love movies about tragic youths or something.

Cool Beans? Cool Beans.

Nara Leao - Meditacao

This is a post I've started dozen times in my head. It has no rhyme or reason. Even now, I'm just staring at the cursor blink on the screen, hoping the words will just write themselves. Without my computer, I am unable to goof off on the internet like usual, so I've been writing alot. I know none of it's any good, but it's helping me get my thoughts in order. Get myself in order.

Before my computer broke down I was listening to alot of Bossa Nova. Nara Leao and Astrud Gilberto, the usual suspects. It's not music I would have expected myself to like at this age. It's funny, sometimes I imagine myself something like a 60'ish divorcee because of my habits/ mannerisms. Other times, I'll have regressed to preschool aged antics. I'm too obsessed with being 'cool', something it's obvious I'll never be or truly understand for that matter.
Trying to overcome my fear of: people. talking. trying.

Shirin Neshat may be my new favorite director/visual artist. Her films are so lush and metered and purposeful(?) I mean I have room enough for her and Steve McQueen in my heart, but it's been a while since I've been left speechless by a film. I love her speaking voice and how assured she is - as she should be - about her work. I love how her eye makeup looks like smeared coal swiped under her lids like a pharaoh. I love how her work talks about something greater than waif thin blond girls staring off into the distance with a nice soundtrack and cute wardrobes and annoying voice-overs masquerading as some shit about the "human condition" (I mean sometimes those are nice, but how many movies like that do we really need?). What I mean to say is, I really like her and her films and if you have the opportunity to watch one please capitalize on that!

Anyway I have started a comic/zine called "Hey Nineteen!", after the Steely Dan song and because I am currently nineteen (so so lame). I didn't want to say anything until it was actually finished and because I have a terrible habit of not following through with stuff. Without any justifiable reason for NOT finishing it, I guess I'll just have to get on with it to keep my sanity and all. It will be sorta personal, but I was thinking of making a few copies to sell on Etsy if other people are interested...

Sometimes I just think I should stop talking/worrying so much...

It's A Wonderful Life

The amount of strange and bizarre movies there are out there about "womanhood" are in no shortage. This just may be the MOST ABSOLUTELY STUNNING one I've ever seen...

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (originally Valerie A Tyden Divu), is a Czech movie, based on a book, about a girl and her period. Oh, if only it were that simple. You see, Valerie's menstrual cycle cause a series of terrifying surreal events to happen around her.

Lustful priests, a jealous and pious grandmother, and brief encounters with the debauched residents of Valerie's picturesque town all threaten this extremely pivotal, vulnerable moment in her life.

It's not clear who can be trusted or feared in this movie. Or if anything in this movie is a dream or reality. That vague distinction made the film work for me. The set design is spectacular and immaculate. Everything works just the right way in this movie, even things that seem the most irrelevant.

The synopsis compares this movie to Snow White or Alice in Wonderland, which I suppose does traditionally fit. I also think it shares many similarities with Pan's Labyrinth for the same dream/reality dynamic, adult fairytale elements, and idealistic doe-eyed protagonist.

I heard about this movie in so many different places, but the Broadcast album, Haha Sound, made me finally check it out, since it's heavily inspired by the film. There are alot of religious and sexual overtures in this movie that may make it an uncomfortable watch. Did I mention the lead actress was only THIRTEEN when this movie was made!?

The thought of doing a style collage for this movie crossed my mind, but I gave up and just watched it again and again and again. Here's some awesome news, the full film is on YouTube with English subs!!!

Like seriously, watch it...now.

All poorly done screencaps by yours truly.

-Peace & Hair Grease.

Cannot think of a clever title...look colors!

Sadly, I cannot come up with any "punny" titles, maybe I need to look at some more Hannah Hart videos...

This thing started as a way to dump the VAST amount of pictures stored on my computer, but as I do not like making anything easy for myself, apparently, it quickly dissolved into a hair/lifestyle/summer/cool pictures inspiration type thing.

So, it's completely random.

I was just bored when I made this.

So bored.

Enjoie

(Click photos to enlarge)

Hazel Scott

Charlotte Linton AW12 collection

Demona Le Fright BLOG

Internet K-Hole BLOG

Vashtie Kola (The Girl Crush of my life)

Jeannie Bogan

William Eggleston

My best friend told me about the beautiful Cameroonian singer, Ntjam Rosie, ages ago, and I wanted an excuse to post her music. She sounds a bit like Sade with Afro-Caribbean touches. I think her hair and style are plenty cute too!

I'm off to watch Pushing Daisies from beginning to end.



-Peace & Hair Grease.

Troy The Boy

I L-O-V-E Crooklyn.

After seeing this post on Rookie about Scout Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird) and tomboy style, I starting thinking about what girls reminded me of that growing up. If Scout was a little black girl in the city during the 70's she would have been Troy.

Crooklyn is Spike Lee's partial account of his own childhood growing up in Brooklyn. The film is centered around Troy, the nine year old protagonist, and her close knit family. Over the course of one summer she has to deal with four trouble making brothers, a trip to the south to visit her privileged relatives, the strange occupants of her neighborhood and her mother's untimely illness.

The film is really touching. I didn't see the movie until I was a teenager, but I would have loved this growing up. She reminds me so much of my little cousin and alot of girls I knew when I was little. Troy's wise-cracking and tomboy appeal are something any one should emulate if given the chance.
Since I'm not nine anymore (*sigh*) I guess I'll have to make do with the wardrobe.

Troy's outfits are a perfect mix of kitsch and practicality. Imagine vibrant crocheted tops, torn blue jean shorts and TATTERED sneakers. If you can, top the look off with a boss afro or cool braids. All the better for playing double dutch, stick-ball, and roughing up her brothers in, while looking cute as a button.

Clockwise from top: SHIRT H&M ; SHOES Converse ;  SHORTS Forever 21 

Clockwise from top left: SHIRT Urban Outfitters ; SHIRT Bank ; SHOES PF Flyers ; SHORTS Forever 21

Clockwise from top left: SHIRT Levi's ; SHIRT Lucky Brand ; TROUSERS Fashion Union ; SHOES Urban Outfitters ; PANTS J Brand 

-Peace and Hair Grease.