PERMALINK: January 2, 2012 |
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When everybody was doing their annual reviews back in mid December we were kind of overwhelmed. All those best-of-lists… like, how many best songs, films, books of 2011 did we miss out? And, more importantly, how could we ever catch up??
That’s we we decided to have a much more laidback attitude towards this and just have every editor picking his absolute favorite for 2011 and then some honorable mentions. That’s it.
From a more general perspective {on the year 2011}, one can say the dust has kind of settled regarding fashion films. On the one side, the newness of it has wore off, on the other hand it is now a widely accepted and known genre. There is still some experimentation going on, but you can also see that the commercialisation and canonization of the genre is in full effect. By now, fashion photographers, when complemnted by good talent on the editing and post side of things, deliver on the visual aspect of filmmaking but often still lack (story-)ideas and originality. On the other hand, some photographers have really stepped up and became great film directors, for example Stephanie die Giusto or Leila and Damien de Blinkk. Still, a big share of the year’s most outstanding work comes from classically trained film directors crossing over into the fashion genre.
Also, there’s the increasing tendency towards run-of-the-mill productions which fall more into the softcore erotica genre and have barely anything to do with fashion, art or any form of artistic film. There is some strange misunderstanding that labeling your film a “fashion film” will make the average and the vulgar transform into something more sophisticated. Well, it really doesn’t.
So, how does this all affect our little blog? One thing that could possibly happen in 2012 is Ravished losing it’s tagline (“the fashion film blog”). We don’t really limit ourselves anymore genre-wise, so why put that label on it? Oh, wait— it’s for seo reasons?? Whatever.
We really, really like the rebirth of the music video (which, ironically, is now copying a lot of stuff fashion films have done right in the past few years) and also the constantly emerging new subgenres of branded films (sports, energy drinks etc) and art meet fashion meet dance hybrids, so be prepared to see more of the latter and probably less conventional&commercial fashion on Ravished in 2012.
Lastly, thank you guys for frequenting our blog, for submitting your films, for communicating and supporting us. We really appreciate that a lot and we hope you’ll enjoy what we have in store for next year, including a serious and long-overdue revamp of your favorite film blog.
FAVORITE FILM 2011: Retrotramando by Juan Poclava
Link to the article
It is not a coincidence that I still watch “Retrotramando” once in a while, although we’ve posted it in April! Juan Poclava directed, in my opinion, one of the best “fashion film meets dance” videos 2011. This film is addicting.
Other highlights:
Heresy by Matias & Mathias - One of the most dramatic fashion films 2011. You can see the master stroke of using almost no effects or music, but touching the viewer to the core
Foamboy by Heyniek - Best art film 2011 by Niek Pulles, who is by the way studio partner of Bart Hess
Manifesto of Little Monsters by Ruth Hogben and Nick Knight - Honestly I can’t tell if I’m scared or impressed when I see Lady Gaga in this film – but everytime I watch it, it makes my skin crawl. Definitely one of the strangest and coolest films 2011
”Goose – Synrise” by David Strindberg & Johan Bring -This music video won us all over fast, one of the reasons for that being the most impressive stylings and costumes of 2011!
FAVORITE FILM 2011: “The Game of Things” by Cristian Straub
Link to the article.
Eventhough we might be a bit biased in rating this film, you have to agree that Cristian Straub’s “The Game of Things” was doubtlessly a wonderful delight in 2011. Thanky you.
Other highlights:
“Lanvin AW 2011 Campaign Movie” by Steven Meisel: One of THE most successfull fashion films in 2011. Steven Meisel is a master of his work.
“Go All Day” by Colin Kennedy & Steve Berra: An example of how more or less subtle branding doesn’t influence the joy of a film. Still amazed by the single take sequence…
“Film 1” by Martin de Thurah: One of the few fashion films that dared to engage by actually telling a story. Beautiful.
“Submission” by Martina Amati: Took me by surprise and still facinates due to its unusual approach and theme.
FAVORITE FILM 2011: “LØV” by Stephanie Di Giusto
Link to the article
Hands down, this was the best fashion film of 2011. Not only very well done, but it’s playfulness, it’s unpretentious and effortless charme made a huge impression on me. Congrats, Miss Di Giusto.
Other highlights 2011:
MUTA by Lucretia Martel - Another best fashion film of 2011, and again: a female director. Outstanding execution.
Three pieces by Bart Hess - We featured Bart Hess three times in 2011, and for a good reason. This guy mashed up art, fashion and film in a novel and jaw-dropping way.
Wookid “Iron” by Yoann Lemoine - Speaking of fashion films influencing music videos. This set the aesthetic standards for 2011 with Lemoine being by now probably THE shooting star director emerging from the fashion film movement.
“HTRK - Bendin” by Nathan Corbin - Yet another, very impressive music video. Outstanding experimental work - minimalistic and very effective/affective.
Film 1 by Martin de Thurah - Best branded work by an auteur storyteller in 2011.
