Pedia
Martin Scorses & Fran
Lebowitz <Pretend it’s a City>, The Beauty Of <The Beauty Of French Cinema>
Martin Scorsese, Pretend It’s a City, United
States, Netflix, 2021 © Netflix
Pretend It’s a City is a documentary about writer Fran Lebowitz, directed by Martin Scorsese. It was originally produced as the documentary and later re-filmed as a seven-episode Netflix original series. It combines various elements, including lectures, talk shows, and conversations. I have watched this series several times, not only because of my admiration for Fran Lebowitz's humor and perspective, but also because of its visually arresting depiction of New York. It is an artistic encyclopedia of the city. For example, during the talk show scene, Lebowitz and Spike Lee debate the distinction between art and sports, she refers to her friend Charlie Mingus, and then there is footage of a jazz session with Mingus and Duke Ellington, with Fleurette Africaine from the album <Money Jungle> playing in the background. These various interjections blend with the dialogue, transforming the series into a comprehensive visual and oral exploration of New York City. Through the integration of archival video, the series evolves into a visual narrative that captures the spirit of New York in a distinctive way.
Instead of simply subscribing to the channel ‘The Beauty of’ on Youtube, I watch the videos to recharge my artistic energy before embarking on a creative endeavor. This channel curates the work of renowned filmmakers, highlighting the visual beauty inherent in each director's style. By extracting key scenes from their films and editing them to synchronize with the rhythm of the music, the channel creates an artistic encyclopedia of film directors and history. For example, in The Beauty of French Cinema, monumental scenes from French films are intricately intertwined. The collision of these scenes creates a new narrative flow, while the music heightens the emotional tension. Watching these videos, I am filled with a profound sense of energy derived from the unique aesthetic styles presented by the channel, while simultaneously experiencing the beauty they evoke.
Visual language enhances understanding and serves as a powerful medium for capturing, analyzing, and creating additional layers of beauty. Recently, I came across a YouTube video introducing the cinematic concept of ‘time pressure’, which, unlike montage techniques, immerses the audience in the temporal rhythm of the narrative without excessive editing. In The Shining, for example, a child pedals around a corner and encounters twins. The camera follows the child's movement, creating tension solely through spatial dynamics. Each concept can be understood through the appropriate medium, leading to the creation of different aesthetics by its creator. By choosing the appropriate medium and articulating insights similar to the creation of a personal essay, a unique form of artistic expression emerges.