Still from Underground, which you should all watch. It gave me a different perspective on what Yugoslavia means. It starts out funny but off, like in Brazil, just a bit too intense to be believable. Then it gets mean and silly, and finally becomes horrible and shocking, with some silliness thrown in there, until it finally setlles into a pleasant surreal aftermath of blurry pollen-infused paradise.

I have been on an Emir Kusturica kick of late, ever since I managed to get ahold of a DVD containing 6 of his films, with their titles written on the DVD is sharpie, for 50 Serbian Denar (1 US$) from a table on the street next to a guy selling strawberries.

Here is an article on him with some good quotes:

Kusturica says he is undaunted by his critics and has no interest in being instructed on how to make art. “My purpose is to make a movie to make you warm,” he says. “To give you some heat. Now, this rational world has become a place where only what is cool is good.” He adds, “Do you cut the movie on the basis of the beat of modernity or the basis of the beat of your own heart?”

And in a very Fitzcarraldo sort of way, after finishbing one film, he built an actual village on the hill where the film took place:

He has said that he decided to build the hilltop retreat (including a small restaurant, guest house, cafe, art gallery, underground cinema, and Orthodox church, as well as 25 abandoned houses he bought and transported to the site) because he lost his city in the war and so wanted to build his own; he has also said that the village itself is the best film he has ever made.

Of course, that image above struck me hard. What is it about land floating on water that captivates me so much? And this mixing of things meant for water and land?…Floating?

Vito Acconci, Personal Island