Am back in NYC and managed to hit the movies twice in the past week – a total luxury – and recommend both films highly.
First, headed up to the Walter Reade for MacunaÃma. Brazilian Cinema Novo director Joaquim Pedro de Andrade completed this politically charged flick in 1968. The negative was recently restored (Andrade’s daughter and son organised the effort over the past few years) and the result is amazing.
Next, headed over to the IFC Center for the beautifully photographed in the Pacific northwest Kurt Cobain About a Son. Some 20 hours of audio tapes comprising conversations Michael Azerrad did with Cobain were edited down to make 1hr 36min documentary. The conversations were originally for Azerrad’s book Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana. It’s very strong hearing Cobain’s voice for that length of time. Director / editor A J Schnack. It works, and a nice departure from the sop documentary process.
