First of all-
Why on earth have I started my own blog? When reading other people's blogs I notice that they're usually intelligent, funny and interesting.
However,
* I enjoy writing about things I deeply care about. Makes sense.
* I went to a business seminar where the highly successful and professional
marketing expert told us to start a blog. I do as I'm told (usually).
* It's good writing practice. And that can't be bad.
No one will read my blog. I have to admit this is my main worry. But since you haven't actually read this admission I feel much better already.
It would make sense to give my blog some structure, so I will make it a habit to divide it into two sections- a topic relating to my profession as a filmmaker or a general topic that could be about anything (with the exception of Chelsea FC and Man United) and a What's Going On section that really should be dedicated to the Marvin Gaye album from 1971 but for self-promotional reasons it will be dedicated to me.
Eureka! Let's get started!
Some Kind Of Wonderful-John Hughes
As a primary school kid in the early 1990's you knew that every children's birthday party would eventually reach the stage when
a) Pizza was ordered (or served - if you were lucky enough to be invited to your Italian classmate's party) and
b) a VHS of Home Alone (1990) would be watched.
I hadn't realised until recently that I have been a fan of John Hughes' work since my childhood. Beethoven (1992) and Home Alone (1990) were favourites of mine as a kid and I actually saw those films at the cinema.
John Hughes was one of the defining directors, scriptwriters and producers of the 1980's and early 1990's. Films such as The Breakfast Club (1985), Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) and Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) were critically acclaimed and immensely successful at the box-office at the same time. Hughes is often referred to as the Godfather of the High School movie but he could do it all: drama, comedy, satire, slapstick – you name it. Ready for some tasters? There you go:
Insightful
'We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that's all.'
Andrew in The Breakfast Club.
Bittersweet
'May I admire you again today?'
Duckie in Pretty In Pink.
Do you get the feeling this picture was taken in the 80's? Yeah, me too.
Funny
Neal: Del... Why did you kiss my ear?
Del: Why are you holding my hand?
Neal: [frowns] Where's your other hand?
Del: Between two pillows...
Neal: Those aren't pillows!
It's not often that great directors are also outstanding writers. John Hughes was. Many of his best scripts he didn't direct himself e.g . Pretty in Pink (1986), Some Kind of Wonderful (1987), and Christmas Vacation (1989), the only Christmas film I can watch when it's not Christmas. Craft and talent are one thing, but I believe John Hughes was such a wonderful writer- and director- because he deeply loved and cared for his characters. And his (often adolescent) audience.
I also admire his work because it dealt with strong themes. A John Hughes film is not just entertaining, it actually means something. His characters aren't just good or bad, brilliant or horrible. They are all unique individuals. Scriptwriting guru's Robert McKee or Syd Field would call them 'multidimensional'. Hughes' characters have clear reasons to be the way they are and therefore they 'feel' real. Those reasons relate to the characters' backgrounds, their environments and their attitudes towards life. Social prejudice, loneliness and self-acceptance of one's individuality were reoccurring themes in Hughes' work. These are universal themes we all can relate to and emphasise with. I believe this is why John Hughes was so successful and his work is still important today.
John Hughes on set of The Breakfast Club with Andrew Michael Hall and Molly Ringwald
Planes, Trains and Automobiles is one of my favourite films of all time. It's one of the few films you can watch dozens of times and every time it feels as fresh and engaging as the first time. It was John Hughes first real venture into 'adult' cinema and the film was an instant success with critics and audiences alike. John Candy and Steve Martin both give outstanding performances as involuntary travel companions Del Griffith and Neal Page on a journey from hell, or to be more precise, from New York to Chicago.
Hughes' screenplay is a master-class in how to keep the right balance between comedy and drama. As their relationship gradually develops from open antipathy into friendship, the two main characters undergo major changes regarding their personalities and attitude towards life. Career man Neal realises he needs to spend more time with his family and that hurting someone else's feelings is hurting oneself just as much. Drifter Del learns that he can't no longer escape his loneliness on his business journeys.
'Is there a problem, Officer?'
In one of cinema's most moving closing scenes,Neal comes back for Del at the train station in Chicago after they had already bid their farewells. Neal has a hunch that Del has nowhere to go on Thanksgiving Day. And he is right. He finds Del sitting on his own in the deserted station. Del finally opens up and confesses that he has been on the road since his wife's death 8 years ago. Until the release of Planes, Trains and Automobiles Martin and Candy had been pigeonholed as comedians. If you watch this scene you realise they were superb actors as well. Their gestures and mimicry speak more than a thousand words: Ashamed and insecure, Del holds on to his hat like it was a life-belt during his confession to Neal. The reaction on Neal's face both reflects the grief for his friend and his realisation that he would be equally devastated if he was to lose his wife.
John Hughes retired from the film business in 1994. John Candy passed away the same year aged just 44 after suffering a heart-attack. Hughes was deeply saddened by his death. Friends of John Hughes say that if Candy had lived, the director would have made more films.
John Hughes passed away in 2009 after suffering a heart-attack.
There's a documentary about him called Don't You Forget About Me following a bunch of filmmakers who set out to make a film about Hughes' work and try to track him down after he disappeared from the public eye.
I am currently trying to track down that documentary...
John Hughes- Rest In Peace.
What's Going On
> My new documentary 'Befluegelter Protest' about the groundbreaking and independent internet channel fluegel.tv in Germany is now online:
The English language version is coming soon.
> I'm currently taking part in a video competition by THE WHO. The winning clip will become the official video for the song 5.15, accompanying their box set release of Quadrophenia. Until 6pm, 18.11 you can vote for my clip here:
