I must say, The Auteurs is rapidly becoming one of my favorite film-related sites out there. I can take or leave the social-networking side of it, but it’s an increasingly useful (and beautifully designed) source of world cinema and critical discussion, not least in the must-read Auteurs Daily blog.
Recently, they also launched a fun novelty exercise, The Auteurs World Cup. Structured like the football tournament for which it is named, it’s a cinematic knockdown contest between the world’s assorted filmmaking nations. Each represented by three film classics selected by a team captain, countries go head-to-head in a series of match-ups — the results determined by the votes of Auteurs users.
The competitive element is obviously not to be taken too seriously — but it’s a nice idea to shine a light on some underexposed cinematic territories and titles. The quarter-finals begin today … check it out here.
Comments
4 responses to “Kickoff for The Auteurs World Cup”
I have voted in it, but have found a large amount of people who will choose to vote against established (and American, in particular) titles, simply to prove they have elevated taste to everyone else.
I love the cup, though, simply because they offer links to the majority of films in competition, many of which I haven’t had the good fortune to see yet (‘Tale of the Late Chrysanthemums’, ‘Tale of Tales’, ‘Werckmeister Harmonies’ to name a few).
You’re very right on its status as a social site, Kris. You MIGHT get lucky and stumble upon a forum where there is genuninely stimulating discussions on film, but they usually devolve into name-calling and/or dick and fart jokes. Plus, way too many people claiming to be fourteen years old declaring their distaste for Bergman and Truffaut (too commercial?) and their love for Bela Tarr (great director, but a little goes a LONG way) and obscure art films (don’t get me wrong, I love a lot of the films they cite, but I’m always skeptical toward ANYBODY whose favorite films list looks a little overly deliberate in how non-mainstream they try to make it. You can have the most avant-garde tastes out there, but there will be at least a few mainstream classics you enjoy- be it a film on the AFI list or the top-grossers list)
I bet you use the word ‘pretentious’ a lot.
Yes, the forum is often inane, but there are worthwhile discussions going on there, and the best thing you can do to fight the inanity is start a few of your own.
The World Cup has been a hugely rewarding experience, opening my eyes to the likes of Angelopolous, Tsai Ming-liang, Snow, and on and on and on.
Josh, I in no way was meaning to attack the site in any way. I have enjoyed it tremendously. The world cup especially has been, as you just said, greatly rewarding. I find worthwhile discussion as well. In fact, I quite often find your insight to be rewarding in itself quite often.
As for the inanity, I don’t mind it so much. It’s an unavoidable inconvenience of the internet. It’s not the fault of the site or its moderators. It’s simply the internet. As long as chat rooms and forums exist, there will be people who act like three year olds, regardless of how adult everyone else attempts to be. I sift through the dick and fart comments, and try to find threads and discussions that are worthwhile, and I might actually be able to add something worthwhile myself. I have yet to start a topic. Perhaps too nervous to do so. I enjoy reading what a lot of you guys think about the subjects already provided. Your love of ‘Irreversible’, though I personally am not a fan, is always fascinating. I LOVE hearing people talk passionately about their favorite movies, and, even though I don’t share your opinion, I can fully understand your appreciation for it due to your discussing it.
“Pretentious”: I don’t know. I guess anyone who has elevated tastes has had SOMEBODY call them “pretentious”. I just think people should be more honest with themselves and others. As I said, I’m simply skeptical of somebody who names off NOTHING BUT atypical films as their favorites. Regardless of how off-the map one’s tastes may be, they will undoubtedly enjoy the occassional ‘Star Wars’, ‘Godfather’, ‘Gone With the Wind’, or ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. I trust somebody who says their favorite movies are ‘Transformers’, ‘2012’, and ‘The Dark Knight’ more than somebody who names ONLY underreviewed and underdiscussed films (even though these films are quite often fantastic)- even though I might take the latter person’s suggestions more than the former. I guess I just don’t understand the need for guilty for liking the occasional mainstream fare. (I am just as skeptical when it comes to musical tastes- such as someone who lists nothing but indie groups or thrash metal bands who will NEVER see the light of day on the radio. Regardless of who you are, you will like The Beatles, The Stones, Led Zeppelin, Prince, or U2- or at least some artist in that kind of vein). You may or may not know who I am based on what I’m writing or my name (Doubles used to be my pen name when I wrote for a few mags and websites), and I hope you don’t take what I write on the site in the future any worse because of this (I honestly don’t know if ANYBODY ever pays attention to anything I put up there- it really isn’t the point, I guess).
I value the site, and will continue to go to it. And those kids might very well be as young as they say they are (that was a low blow of me, and it was wrong to the certain individuals who are in question-the right choice of words?-, so I apologize there. If so, I thought I was knowledgable at that age. Regardless of age, they seem to have good taste. Even though I might be skeptical of things, don’t equate that with being disapproving or chalk it up to dislike.
I spoke too soon, and apologize for jumping to conclusions. My misanthropy is occasionally misplaced.
Your extended response is both appreciated and illuminating of the shared issues we all face daily while trying to build an internet forum with some kind of respect for what we all hold dear.
To be honest, my response to your post was based on this: until I found this site (and more importantly, until I participated in the Auteurs World Cup) my top ten films would have included ten American directors. Today, I’m privileged to be able to include many more that ARE obscure and since you’re obviously a fan of the site I’ll assume you know most of them.
I had a visceral reaction to your words, but I get where you’re coming from. Sorry I leaped out like that. It wasn’t you I was lashing out at, just a tone that I wrongly perceived as yours (tone in electronic communication being the absolute most obfuscated thing in our age).
Moreover, I just watched my first Von Trier (Breaking the Waves), and I’m a little emotional. That film dismantled me. It wasn’t until the last 20 minutes that it happened, but I can’t deny it did.
Anyway, reach out anytime on the site and I’d love to discuss this further. Thanks for your response.
J