Edit: I tried to expand the thoughts I jotted down here in a longer format

“and then it shrinks.”

Forgive me as this probably sounds like a huge stretch and I’m likely only thinking about it because of my love for both directors but I can’t help but be reminded of the work of Andrzej Żuławski… something I really connect to in much of his films is how he seems to have his characters externalize their thoughts, feelings, etc—everything that…

really a fascinating movie. to work within the framework and aesthetics of dominant western filmmaking (especially taking war films as a whole into perspective), from the operatic scope and melodramatic beats signaling hope and grief all the way down to the way the entire film is shot and of course the cast of international white stars rather than actual libyans, and repurpose the toolset for a film in celebration of resistance against colonialism by any and all means necessary. i'm…

Somehow manages to be relentlessly paced at the same time as having Kurosawa’a signature creeping dread. And like… maybe his funniest film, which feels insane to be saying about a movie about snuff films and revenge and guilt and grief and senseless violence, but there are literally multiple laugh out loud moments? I can’t remember if I’ve seen Kurosawa hit this many comedic beats before. 

The shootout is a little too reminiscent of that in Cloud, and I struggled with the…