Manupesui

ARCHITECTURE: Villa Malaparte in Le Mépris

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Duration: 7:11
Published: 15 Mar 2008
Uploaded: 26 Jul 2011
Author: manupeSUI

The Villa Malaparte was built between 1938 and 1942 on a high promontory on the island of Capri, Italy. It is as much a house as it is a sundeck. The design is by the owner, poet Curzio Malaparte and famous architect Adalberto Libera. In the film Le Mépris (1963), dir. Jean-Luc Godard the Villa is owned by a money hungry American movie producer, played with great gusto by Jack Palance. The blonde woman is Brigitte Bardot, the brunette Georgia Moll. The young guy with the hat is Michel Piccoli, the old guy veteran director Fritz Lang who really seems to enjoy himself.

ARCHITECTURE: Habitat'67 in Montreal

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Duration: 4:41
Published: 07 May 2008
Uploaded: 03 Aug 2011
Author: manupeSUI

This artificial hillrange on the Saint Lawrence river is composed of the futuristic homes of the universal exposition Expo 67. Designed by architect Moshe Safdie, modular, interlocking concrete forms define the space. In The Disappearance (1977), dir. Stuart Cooper - an architectonically ambitious movie - Habitat'67 serves as the home of (guess who?) a professional hitman, played by Donald Sutherland. It is the stage on which a fairly brittle relationship of the hitman and his wife is enacted. David Warner also stars. Another remnant of Expo 67 can also be seen, Richard Buckminster Fuller's famous geodesic dome. Edited to the tunes of Am Eulenturm by Dagobert Böhm.

Corto Maltese in Buenos Aires

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Duration: 3:47
Published: 13 Aug 2008
Uploaded: 25 Jul 2011
Author: manupeSUI

An attempt to animate a few scenes of a comic book by Hugo Pratt, one of the last adventures of sailor Corto Maltese. Edited to the tunes of Deus Xango from Gerry Mulligan ans Astor Piazzolla's Tango Nuevo.

ARCHITECTURE: El Conquistador Resort

Order: Reorder
Duration: 5:17
Published: 08 Mar 2008
Uploaded: 14 Jul 2011
Author: manupeSUI

El Conquistador, completed in 1965, was designed by architect Morris Lapidus (1902-2001) and his son Alan near San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was used, like Lapudus' Fontainbleau resort in Florida in a James Bond movie, as a villain's lair in the movie Stiletto (1969), dir. Bernard L. Kowalski. The lady who highlights some features of the great resort is non other than Ms Britt Ekland. Edited to tunes of the Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo.

ARCHITECTURE: The stairs and elevators of Alphaville

Order: Reorder
Duration: 7:47
Published: 28 Apr 2008
Uploaded: 09 Jul 2011
Author: manupeSUI

Alphaville, une étrange aventure de Lemmy Caution (1965), dir. Jean-Luc Godard tells the story of a distopian future. Unfortunately I am not intellectual or attentive enough to understand it, but the atmosphere is interesting. Stairs, sometimes really elegant ones, and elevators feature large in this movie. I made a small compilation.

SCREEN GODDESSES: Lee Remick rudely awakened

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Duration: 3:21
Published: 01 Apr 2008
Uploaded: 29 Jun 2011
Author: manupeSUI

Lovely Lee Remick (1935-1991) often played serious or 'socially significant' roles. This performance in No Way to Treat a Lady (1968), dir. Jack Smight is one of her rare comedc parts, albeit laced with a trace of melancholy. She gets a romance started with a cop played by George Segal who is after a serial killer and does some most convincing female flirting. Interesting 'period set design', too. Edited to tunes of Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, by, uh, Vaughan Williams.

WISDOM FROM MOVIES: how to start a perfect day

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Duration: 5:09
Published: 14 Mar 2008
Uploaded: 27 Aug 2010
Author: manupeSUI

Performed by Emil Jannings in Der zerbrochene Krug (1937), dir. Gustav Ucicky in a non speaking (but by no means silent) opening sequence.

ARCHITECTURE: IG Farben in Berlin Express

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Duration: 1:51
Published: 01 Mar 2008
Uploaded: 02 Mar 2011
Author: manupeSUI

The huge office building by Architect Hans Poelzig (1869-1936) for the IG Farben Corporation in Frankfurt, Germany, built from 1928 to 1931, was the seat of the American military command after World War II. In the semi documentary Berlin Express (1948) dir. Jacques Tourneur, it is used as such, Robert Ryan, Merle Oberon an Reinhold Schünzel are part of the ensenmble cast. The building features a special elevator system, which in Germany they call Paternoster. Editet to the walz in Paul Hindemith's Kleine Kammermusik, Op. 24, no 2.

ARCHITECTURE: Houses of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo

Order: Reorder
Duration: 1:42
Published: 09 Apr 2008
Uploaded: 12 Jul 2011
Author: manupeSUI

The two houses in Mexico City for this artist couple which are clearly influenced by works of Le Corbusier were designed by Juan O'Gorman who was also a painter and built in 1929. The roofs of the two studios are connected with a bridge. In the biopic Frida (2003), dir. Julie Taymor the houses are used for what they were to the couple. According to the movie they did not bring them much happiness. Frida Kahlo is played by Salma Hayek, Diego Rivera by Alfred Molina. Edited to tunes of Cabiza, played by Tierra Negra.

SCREEN GODDESSES: Rae Dawn Chong makes herself useful

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Duration: 0:52
Published: 11 Apr 2008
Uploaded: 09 Jun 2011
Author: manupeSUI

Rae Dawn Chong (born 1961) is remarkable on screen but maybe has not yet been able to live up to her potential. She had her share of rather ungrateful jobs. In American Flyers (1985), dir. John Badham she is basically a devoted stable boy to Kevin Costner's character, changing flat bycicle tires etc. Attractive, competent, but unfortunately not much more, which is regrettable. Edited to tunes of Brüder Schwestern by Walter Dahn.

CHARACTER ACTORS: Michael Gempart

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Duration: 5:04
Published: 07 Jun 2008
Uploaded: 07 Oct 2010
Author: manupeSUI

In Das Boot ist voll/The Boat is full (1981), dir. Markus Imhoof, Michael Gempart (born 1941) plays the gendarme of a Swiss village close to the German border. It is World War II, Switzerland is neutral and surrounded by the Axis powers. The government issues directives to the effect that "non political immigrants" be refused entry, explicitly stressing that race is not political. A group of different people who entered Switzerland try to conjure up a family in order to dupe the officials, fulfilling all the requirements stipulated by the authorities. The character of the gendarme who uncovers the set-up is the one I never forgot. It is the one that feels absolutely authentic - down to the last detail. The character displays a strange and creepy combination of intelligence, cruelty, correctness, loyalty to his employers, a hint of uneasyness and, yes, maybe even compassion. The fact that the gendarme as "the law" is entirely on his own adds weight to the performance in an odd way.

AROUND ZURICH: Shopping Center Glatt 2004

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Duration: 3:56
Published: 31 Mar 2008
Uploaded: 12 Oct 2010
Author: manupeSUI

The Einkaufszentrum Glatt was opened in 1975 on the A1 motorway in the community of Wallisellen right on the border of Zurich. The architecture is by Victor Gruen Associates and the Swiss architects Schwarzenbach und Maurer. The clip consists of pictures I made with a book project for the 30th anniversary in mind which died an early and almost painless death. I think the Glatt (its name is derived from the small river which runs along the opposite side of the motorway) is still the biggest shopping center of Switzerland with a lot of free of charge parking space. On Sundays it gives the impression of a temporary ghost town. Edited to tunes of the Libertate concert of Simion Stanciu "Syrinx" and Patrick Moraz.

ARCHITECTURE: Im Birch School, Zurich

Order: Reorder
Duration: 5:15
Published: 12 Feb 2008
Uploaded: 05 Mar 2011
Author: manupeSUI

This school by architect Peter Märkli, opened in 2004, is in the center of a newly planned neighborhood in the north of Zurich. Before, this was an industrial zone. Maybe the sober, solid and almost harsh architecture is meant to induce some sense of discipline into the kid's dispositions ... The video is edited to tunes of the original soundtrack of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me by Angelo Badalamenti

SCREEN GODDESSES: 40 Life covers

Order: Reorder
Duration: 3:05
Published: 18 Oct 2008
Uploaded: 07 Jun 2011
Author: manupeSUI

Sheree North, Stephanie Griffin, Joan Leslie, Joan Elan, Dorothy Bromily, Audrey Dalton, Barbara Bel Geddes, Miroslava, Cybill Shepherd, Barbara Bates, Märta Torén, Yvette Mimieux, Dawn Addams, Brenda Vaccaro, Ruth Roman, Julie London, Julie London, Julie London, Colleen Townsend, Ina Balin, Phyllis Kirk, Peggy Lloyd, Anna Maria Alberghetti, Kerima, Helena Carter, Jayne Mansfield, Pat Crowley, Suzy Parker, Rita Gam, Janice Rules, Ella Raines, May Britt, Marcia Van Dyke, Elaine Stewart, Joan Rice, Nicole Maurey, Jean Seberg, Jane Greer, Terry Moore, Peggy Dow, Joy Lansing, Pier Angeli, Tuesday Weld and Lucia Bosé. Scans from miniature reproductions in the book „Life im Kino, edited to Kurdish Dance by Yosuke Yamashita.

ARCHITECTURE: La Maison de Verre

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Duration: 2:32
Published: 16 Mar 2008
Uploaded: 21 May 2011
Author: manupeSUI

The Maison de Verre (French for House of Glass) was built from 1928 to 1931 in an old courtyard in Paris, France for a doctor called Dalsace and his family by designer Pierre Chareau and Dutch architect Bernard Bijvoet. Some time in the 1960s its architectural value was somehow rediscovered by the architectural community. I am actually not sure if these scenes of Le Trio Infernal (1974), dir. Francis Girod were actually filmed in the real Maison de Verre or if it is a set design inspired by said building. The glass bricks and the naked riveted steel columns are there all right but much else does not correspond to what is known about the house. If anyone knows more about the making of Le Trio Infernal in relation to the Maison de Verre, I would be glad for a comment. Among the actors that can be seen in theis clip are Romy Schneider and Michel Piccoli. Edited to tunes of the Quintet in G Minor, op. 56, no 2 by Franz Danzi.

SCREEN GODDESSES: Marquita Callwood

Order: Reorder
Duration: 4:20
Published: 14 Feb 2008
Uploaded: 17 Nov 2010
Author: manupeSUI

The only thing I found out about this actress comes from imdb.com. According to that website she only starred in this one movie, called Angels (1976), dir. Spencer Compton. Her performance made quite an impact on me. Edited to the tunes of the Andantino quasi allegretto of Scheherazade, op. 35 by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. THIS VIDEO CONTAINS SOME MILD NUDITY AND SNIFFING OF WHITE POWDER - THE SCOND A PASTIME WHICH I WHOLEHEARTEDLY DISAPPROVE.

SCREEN GODDESSES: Serena Grandi with Paolo Villaggio

Order: Reorder
Duration: 2:20
Published: 12 Feb 2008
Uploaded: 28 Jul 2011
Author: manupeSUI

Serena Grandi is a well endowed italian actress. In Roba da ricchi (1987), dir. Sergio Corbucci, she played a femme fatale to a little chump impersonated by one of the greatest Italien comendians, Paolo Villaggio. The two make a perfect team. I edited a few short scenes to the film music for Der Bucklige von Soho by Peter Thomas. THIS VIDEO CONTAINS SOME MILD NUDITY

SCREEN GODDESSES: Elizabeth Taylor en route to Rome

Order: Reorder
Duration: 7:34
Published: 10 Oct 2010
Uploaded: 28 Apr 2011
Author: manupeSUI

I saw this actress first as a kid in tabloids, and I always found her a little scary. Identikit (1974), dir. Giuseppe Patroni Griffi consolidates this image. The camerawork by Vittorio Storaro is terrific, the dialogues of an absolute hillarious insanity. British actor Ian Bannen has never beeen better.

SCREEN GODDESSES: Anjanette Comer as a Señorita

Order: Reorder
Duration: 4:39
Published: 09 Feb 2008
Uploaded: 25 Jul 2011
Author: manupeSUI

Anjanette Comer (born 1939) often plays seemingly frail but determined ladies. She was absolutely enchanting as Miss Thanatogenous in Tony Richardson's rendition of Evelyn Waugh's novel The Loved One. In The Appaloosa (1966), dir. Sidney J. Furie she gives Marlon Brando a hard time in a completely platonic but nevertheless tiring relationship. The excerpts are edited to the tunes of the Fantasís para un Gentilhombre by Joaquín Rodrigo.

SCREEN GODDESSES: Hillary Brooke

Order: Reorder
Duration: 7:10
Published: 08 Feb 2008
Uploaded: 16 Jul 2011
Author: manupeSUI

Hillary Brooke (1914-1999) was one of the most beautiful actresses to grace the silver screen. She almost always played detestable or outright evil characters, or women who did not get their man in the end - but she did it all with much grace. This short hommage contains clippings from Ministry of Fear (1944) directed by Fritz Lang, The Woman in Green, a Sherlock Holmes adventure (1945) directed by Roy William Neill, and Strange Impersonation (1946), directed by Anthony Mann. The movie is edited to the tunes of the 1st Piano Concerto by Dmitri Shostakovich.

CHARACTER ACTORS: Elisha Cook Jr.

Order: Reorder
Duration: 3:17
Published: 09 Mar 2008
Uploaded: 25 Jun 2011
Author: manupeSUI

Elisha Cook Jr. (1903-1995) played crooks, patsies and the sort. He gave frustration an eloquent face and his characters often died while trying to get any kind of satisfaction out of life. In Born to Kill (1947), dir. Robert Wise, Cook's character tries to scare a nosy old woman (Esther Howard - another wonderful character actress) for his friend, one of the scariest psychopaths in movie history, played by Lawrence Tierney.

ARCHITECTURE: Lovell Health House in LA Confidential

Order: Reorder
Duration: 2:29
Published: 25 Feb 2008
Uploaded: 21 Jul 2011
Author: manupeSUI

The Lovell Health house in Los Angeles was designed by architect Richard Neutra (1892-1970). In LA Confidential (1997) dir. Curtis Hanson, it is the residence of a high class pimp, played by David Strathairn. Edited to tunes the "unfinished" symphony no. 8 by Franz Schubert.

CHARACTER ACTORS: Erich von Stroheim does target practice

Order: Reorder
Duration: 3:03
Published: 30 Mar 2008
Uploaded: 18 Jul 2011
Author: manupeSUI

In my opinion Erich von Stroheim (1885-1957) was more character than actor. But he really did some very interesting stuff. The use of firearms seems to has been mainly a matter of style for him. In Foolish Wives (1924) which he also directed he was a fake Russian count. In the The Great Flamarion (1945), dir. Anthony Mann he is the title character who does a shooting act in a night club. The young lady who disturbs him is Mary Beth Hughes. Edited to tunes of Autobahn by Kraftwerk.