Tuesday Musings - Karel Zeman and Baron Munchausen
We recently had the incredible good luck to see a beautifully restored print of Karel Zeman's 1961 "The Fabulous Baron Munchausen" on the Criterion Channel (this restored version premiered at the 2016 Telluride Festival). Absolutely amazing in every aspect - and I'm very embarassed to say that I knew little to nothing about Zeman (Czech filmmaker, 1910-1989) before this. Now he's kind of like my hero, based just on this one film. Starring as the Baron, Miloš Kopecký is perfectly cast; pompous, elegant, endearing, ingenious. But really it is the visual experience that is the star here. Zeman used the prints of Gustave Doré combined seamlessly and magically with live action and animation. Colour palletes give an even more otherworldly feel to the visuals. No CG here, just inventive and unusual ways to get the effect he wanted, a man after my own heart.
The story, although following the outline of the original and using many vignettes from it, also adds references to Cyrano de Bergerac's visit to the moon, Jules Verne's "From the Earth to the Moon" and a tip of the hat to 60s sci-fi. Strange, funny and always unexpected, and even the music is a surprise! I had no idea it even existed, and it was a complete revelation to me. It felt like coming home. I used vintage prints exclusively as backgrounds in "Essentially Alys" and "Moonflower", and had a complete moon-trip story arc in my web series, with references to Cyrano, Verne, etc., so I was literally glued to the screen taking in all of the details. He did some more versions of Verne and often used the works of different artists in his films. He is often called the Czech Méliès due to his style of mixing animation and effects with live action. I am definitely going to have to track down more of his films!
Zeman's work impressed and/or influenced the likes of Terry Gilliam, Jan Švankmajer, Ray Harryhausen, Wes Anderson and Tim Burton (and also apparently inspired admiration from Pablo Picasso, Charlie Chaplin and Salvádor Dalí in his own time)! Guess I'm in good company singing his praises.
There is now a museum to him in Prague; another reason to travel again!
"22 Bones, the Adventures of Yorick, a Skull" was nominated for Best Web Series and Best Original Idea in the Top Indie Film Awards!
PS - There may not be a Musing next Tuesday; we'll have to see what shape I'm in after shoulder surgery!😐
The story, although following the outline of the original and using many vignettes from it, also adds references to Cyrano de Bergerac's visit to the moon, Jules Verne's "From the Earth to the Moon" and a tip of the hat to 60s sci-fi. Strange, funny and always unexpected, and even the music is a surprise! I had no idea it even existed, and it was a complete revelation to me. It felt like coming home. I used vintage prints exclusively as backgrounds in "Essentially Alys" and "Moonflower", and had a complete moon-trip story arc in my web series, with references to Cyrano, Verne, etc., so I was literally glued to the screen taking in all of the details. He did some more versions of Verne and often used the works of different artists in his films. He is often called the Czech Méliès due to his style of mixing animation and effects with live action. I am definitely going to have to track down more of his films!
Zeman's work impressed and/or influenced the likes of Terry Gilliam, Jan Švankmajer, Ray Harryhausen, Wes Anderson and Tim Burton (and also apparently inspired admiration from Pablo Picasso, Charlie Chaplin and Salvádor Dalí in his own time)! Guess I'm in good company singing his praises.
There is now a museum to him in Prague; another reason to travel again!
UPDATES!
"22 Bones, the Adventures of Yorick, a Skull" was nominated for Best Web Series and Best Original Idea in the Top Indie Film Awards!
PS - There may not be a Musing next Tuesday; we'll have to see what shape I'm in after shoulder surgery!😐
Comments
Post a Comment