Welcome, esteemed readers, to another edition of Sunday Morning Movie. Today’s feature is a minimalist interpretation of the Odyssey, titled Nostos. Let’s dive in:
Next week, we will explore The Mattei Affair:
Reviews highlight what makes Nostos exceptional:
Letterboxd comments:
Nostos: The Return reaches a level of cinematic artistry that Christopher Nolan’s upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey will struggle to achieve. I am thoroughly impressed. It is a mesmerizingly beautiful film, one that elevates filmmaking to the realm of pure poetry. Experiencing this masterpiece is a must.
The film is directed by Franco Piavoli, who took charge of directing, writing, cinematography, and editing! While it loosely adapts Homer’s work, it centers on Odysseus’ arduous journey home after the Trojan War. What makes it a true masterpiece is its striking minimalism and how effectively it communicates. Dialogue is nearly absent; when characters speak, they use an untranslatable Mediterranean language influenced by ancient Greek, Sanskrit, and Latin. The film’s hypnotic qualities, slow-paced narrative, and profound connection to nature evoke the dreamlike films of Apichatpong Weerasethakul. Instead of relying on dialogue to convey emotions, Piavoli allows the environment to narrate the story.
My perspective:
This film is visually stunning, featuring breathtaking cinematography. The dialogue consists solely of an invented language, while the soundtrack is filled with the sounds of nature—birds, the ocean, and the wind. It’s an immersive experience; watch it with an open mind. It’s absolutely worth a ⭐.
Director: Franco Piavoli
Writer: Franco Piavoli
Plot Summary (Spoilers Ahead): The war is over, and Odysseus begins his journey home. Initially, his journey seems promising.
Suddenly, the weather changes, and the ship is wrecked. Alone, he drifts at sea.
Eventually, he discovers land and walks for miles until he finally returns home.
***
Special Mentions:
In memory of Fritz Lang’s legacy:
“Destiny” (1921) with English subtitles
“Fury” (1936) (colorized version)
96 min.
https://archive.org/details/fury-1936-colorized-movie-720p-hd
“Man Hunt” (1941)
102 min.
“Ministry of Fear” (1944)
87 min.
https://archive.org/details/ministry-of-fear-1944
“The Big Heat” (1953)
89 min.
https://archive.org/details/the-big-heat-1953
Insights from Martin Scorsese on “The Big Heat”
5 min.
Comments from Michael Mann about “The Big Heat”
11 min.
A Jury of Her Peers
“Simple, powerful, jolting”- The New York Times
Set on a lonely farm in the early 1900s Midwest, this film tells the story of a woman accused of murdering her husband. Two women, the sheriff’s wife and a neighboring farmer’s wife, are left alone in the accused woman’s kitchen while the men search for evidence. As they gather items for her, they uncover details about her life, revealing what could be crucial evidence. This film is adapted from Susan Glaspell’s 1917 short story, shedding light on a women’s world largely overlooked by men.
While working as a young reporter in Iowa, Glaspell covered the sensational trial of a farmer’s wife accused of murdering her husband in his sleep. Years later, she revisited her experiences and penned the classic one-act play, Trifles, later reworking it into a story published as A Jury of Her Peers.
[MONO LP] Paul Chambers – 1st Bassman
Paul Chambers – 1st Bassman. Original 1960 US MONO (Vee Jay Records – VJLP 3012)
Original Jazz Vinyl.
Night Drivin’: 1960/1964 | Modern Jazz Classics: Hard-Bop, Modal & Soul Jazz
Enjoy late-night drives with the Modern Jazz classics of the 1960s, featuring artists like Donald Byrd, Horace Silver, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and others. Thank you for tuning in!
Gerry Mulligan – Feelin Good -1965 (FULL ALBUM)
Bill Evans: Sounds Instead of Words | Best of Bill Evans Trio Classics
A curated playlist of Bill Evans’ most beautiful trio classics, ballads, and timeless modern jazz recordings. This mix features essential tracks like Tenderly, Autumn Leaves, and Waltz for Debby. An ideal collection for jazz enthusiasts who cherish the lyrical and emotional essence of piano jazz.
Wild Planet ~ The B-52’s
Wild Planet is the second studio album by the American new wave band The B-52’s, released in August 1980. Like their debut, they recorded this album at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas. Several songs on the album had been fan favorites since 1978.
https://youtu.be/cYVRMhRigNQ?si=jsniXfn669UQJyTC
The Doors – Critique (1969)
Filmed for NET at Studio 55 in New York on April 28, 1969, this performance is often overshadowed by more sensational live shows. It marks a significant moment for The Doors as they attempted to restore their reputation following negative press. Jim Morrison advocated for this appearance because NET did not conform to commercial norms, allowing them to perform freely without distractions.
Child – Child (1970) (Ultra Rare Acid Rock, Psychedelic Rock)
INFO: The rare debut album from the keyboard-heavy 1960s acid rock band Child includes an impressive rendition of Isaac Hayes’ “Hold On, I’m Comin.” A heavier sound reminiscent of Vanilla Fudge.
The Fact – Always There (1986) Post Punk, Gothic Rock – Germany
1993 confession tape: Einstein saw Roswell UFO and ETs in 1947, claims his assistant Dr. Shirley Wright:
Fatha Plays Classics [1977] – Earl Hines:
Label: Jazz Life – 2273012
Format: Vinyl
Country: Germany
Recorded 1977
Digitalism – Pogo (A personal favorite from a vibrant period in my life):
Rare – Bin Dekhe Jiyaa Naahi Chain, Bhairavi Thumri – Manik Verma:
Manik Verma was a versatile artist, equally adept in classical and light music. Her mellifluous voice and emotive performance style give her music a unique charm.
Piya To Maanat Naahi | Thumri in Raag Kafi | Vidushi Manik Verma | Rare:
David Munrow – The Art of the Recorder [full]:
David Munrow: The Medieval Sound (1970) Side 2:
David Munrow – Greensleeves to a Ground (1976) [full]:
Aldo Tambellini’s BLACKOUT (1965):
Aldo Tambellini is a pioneering experimental filmmaker. This work features a dynamic interplay of abstract images akin to an action painting, evoking a celestial bombardment. Rapid cuts create an intense visual rhythm.
Aldo Tambellini’s BLACK IS (1965):
This experimental film was created without a camera, using techniques like scratching and chemical reactions on film stock to create an animated rhythm, focusing on the essence of light and motion.
Aldo Tambellini’s BLACK TRIP (1965):
Through various media, Tambellini captures the frenetic movement of protoplasm at a microscopic level, allowing for a captivating and imaginative interpretation of life’s origins.
BERTRAND RUSSELL, The Mathematician, The Philosopher, The Skeptic: A Notable Biography:
Imagine a thinker armed with unparalleled intellect who redefines logic, morality, and our understanding of the universe. Bertrand Russell, philosopher and fervent critic of societal norms, led a life of bold inquiry. His work, Principia Mathematica, transformed mathematical logic, while his pacifism drew him into conflict during World War I, showcasing the power of reason amid chaos.
古琴曲 山居 Taoist Guqin music “Retreat in the Mountains”
