The Cool World (Shirley Clarke, 1964)
Rating: 9.8
This is a remarkable American New Wave docudrama that perfectly captures the milieu of Harlem in the 1960s by exploring a group of adolescents involved in gangs and juvenile delinquency. The main character, Duke, is obsessed with acquiring a gun which symbolically represents his quest for manhood, power, and escape from alienation. The film resembles the Italian neorealistic style as the environment shapes the actions of the characters and become victims of their surroundings. The jazz soundtrack provided by Dizzy Gillespie and Yusaf Lateef, among others playing Mal Waldron's original compositions is an excellent thematic counterpoint as the narrative itself is improvised and free flowing like the music. This film is a rare treat that offers photographs of a history not often explored.
No comments:
Post a Comment