2001 and Mumblecore

Before 2001 last night, the Egyptian folks announced an upcoming events - a study of mumblecore movies. Quite a contrast - watching 2001 in 70mm followed by an announcement about mumblecore, pretty much the polar opposite in terms of cinema expression. 2001 asks fundamental questions about human existence and our relationship to the universe, time, evolution, etc, and it shot in a disciplined, epic fashion - befitting the subject matter. Mumblecore goes the opposite direction - the questions it asks are about the anxieties and insecurities of 20-something relationships and are shot in half-hazard, cheap, messy way, just a step up from home videos.

They are a reflection of different times. It makes our time seem regressive and petty and small and the late 60s as a time of wonder where people dared to ask big questions and tackle big ideas. I do not believe mumblecore constitutes any sort of youth movement or revolt or really has anything particularly interesting to say. I believe the films reflect the increasing narcissism of youngish Americans and a scary trend away from knowledge and curiosity about the world in favor of spending our time looking at ourselves in front of the mirror. In this way, mumblecore is an apt precursor to Facebook, where the preeminent focus of attention is on ourselves - and I mean that literally - the self as a subject of adoration and study and constant examination. This is as opposed to seeking truth - philosophic or scientific, knowledge, understanding of different cultures, tackling the great questions of human existence, creating families and strong civic culture, etc, etc.

Not that I loved 2001. It is epic and impressive and I'm glad it exists. But I don't love it the way I love Sideways, Chinatown, His Girl Friday, or The Professional...where you just feel at home with the film. The movie is awesome - it pretty much could be put in the dictionary next to the word.