(The film would) seem eerily prescient as student riots broke out in ... in the summer of 1968
The film was initially derided by some as ludicrous and overwrought but, just a year later, would seem eerily prescient as student riots broke out in February and, more broadly, in the summer of 1968. Godard´s skepticism would also prove justified as the student movement that, for a fleeting moment in history, promised to change the world led virtually nowhere.
"La Chinoise" is Godard´s first heavily didactic film, though it seems like positively mainstream entertainment compared to "Le gai savoir" (1969) and, soon after, the films of the Dziga Vertov Group. To my eye, it´s still a very accessible film, though it may be difficult for some viewers to understand how students could embrace the concept of revolution so eagerly. Is there any equivalent on campuses today?
"La Chinoise" is also one of Godard´s most formally accomplished films (although it´s hard to think of a Godard film that isn´t formally accomplished) with his usual audacious use of color; Mao´s Little Red Book figures prominently in the set design. Godard also draws on popular culture to advance his political and social critique: it´s amusing to me to see how comic book characters like Spider-Man and the Hulk were appropriated as counter-culture figures in the 60s.
"La Chinoise" is one of Godard´s most critical works of the 60s, and serves as a marker, along with his next film, the magisterial "Weekend" (1967), for the next phase of his prolific and ever-transforming creative career.
Video
The film is presented in its original 1.33:1 fullscreen aspect ratio. The transfer looks pretty good, especially by Koch Lorber standards, though the colors appear slightly desaturated, especially the very prominent reds. The transfer is interlaced, and there are many instances of combing. This restored transfer has been cleaned up rather nicely. Overall, though, this is a good, but not great, transfer.
Audio
The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Stereo. Forced English subtitles support the French audio.
Extras
The extras are fairly short, but surprisingly substantive.
The best of the bunch is an interview with Anne Wiazemsky (7 min.) who speaks very candidly about her opinion of Godard´s films.
Also of interest is Colin McCabe´s introduction (8 min) to the film. McCabe is one of the go-to critics on Godard, and he provides useful context for this complex film.
An editing table interview with Godard from 1966 (3 min) is fun but not particularly insightful, and his outspoken speech at a Venice Film Festival press conference (2 min) is a brief look at the off-screen firebrand.
Film Value
"La Chinoise" is not as widely seen as other 60s Godard films like "Breathless," "Alphaville" or "Weekend," but it is every bit as essential. It marks a major progression in Godard´s ongoing rejection of mainstream narrative techniques, though on my second viewing of this film I was surprised at just how much humor Godard employs. A film about the 1968 student riots made in 1967, "La Chinoise" is politically engaged in a way few films have ever matched. Truly great.
"La Chinoise" is Godard´s first heavily didactic film, though it seems like positively mainstream entertainment compared to "Le gai savoir" (1969) and, soon after, the films of the Dziga Vertov Group. To my eye, it´s still a very accessible film, though it may be difficult for some viewers to understand how students could embrace the concept of revolution so eagerly. Is there any equivalent on campuses today?
"La Chinoise" is also one of Godard´s most formally accomplished films (although it´s hard to think of a Godard film that isn´t formally accomplished) with his usual audacious use of color; Mao´s Little Red Book figures prominently in the set design. Godard also draws on popular culture to advance his political and social critique: it´s amusing to me to see how comic book characters like Spider-Man and the Hulk were appropriated as counter-culture figures in the 60s.
"La Chinoise" is one of Godard´s most critical works of the 60s, and serves as a marker, along with his next film, the magisterial "Weekend" (1967), for the next phase of his prolific and ever-transforming creative career.
Video
The film is presented in its original 1.33:1 fullscreen aspect ratio. The transfer looks pretty good, especially by Koch Lorber standards, though the colors appear slightly desaturated, especially the very prominent reds. The transfer is interlaced, and there are many instances of combing. This restored transfer has been cleaned up rather nicely. Overall, though, this is a good, but not great, transfer.
Audio
The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Stereo. Forced English subtitles support the French audio.
Extras
The extras are fairly short, but surprisingly substantive.
The best of the bunch is an interview with Anne Wiazemsky (7 min.) who speaks very candidly about her opinion of Godard´s films.
Also of interest is Colin McCabe´s introduction (8 min) to the film. McCabe is one of the go-to critics on Godard, and he provides useful context for this complex film.
An editing table interview with Godard from 1966 (3 min) is fun but not particularly insightful, and his outspoken speech at a Venice Film Festival press conference (2 min) is a brief look at the off-screen firebrand.
Film Value
"La Chinoise" is not as widely seen as other 60s Godard films like "Breathless," "Alphaville" or "Weekend," but it is every bit as essential. It marks a major progression in Godard´s ongoing rejection of mainstream narrative techniques, though on my second viewing of this film I was surprised at just how much humor Godard employs. A film about the 1968 student riots made in 1967, "La Chinoise" is politically engaged in a way few films have ever matched. Truly great.
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[release]23784[/release]