[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9S2KwhKGO8[/youtube]
Groans of disappointment this morning when the rumors of Fernando Meirelles’ Blindness premiering at Cannes seem to be nothing more than that — rumors. But here’s the teaser trailer (high-def version) and the very cool one-sheet after the cut.
Too soon to start some buzz for cinematographer César Charlone and a second Oscar nomination? (His first nomination was for City of God, and his second should’ve been for the sick acidic color palette he achieved to represent the soul-less villainy at the core of The Constant Gardener.)
18 Responses for "Blindness trailer"
I have a friend who is taking cinematography at York and he has had the opportunity to work along side of César Charlone and thus has seen the finished product of Blindness. He initially thought that the cinematography over powered the film and didn’t serve the film very well because it was almost too flashy. But that was only after he saw a few clips. After he saw the whole thing, he said that he took back everything he had said before about it.
So that’s a good sign! I’m thinking maybe an oscar for Mr. Charlone.
-TAD
I dig the one-sheet (and yes, I frequently use words like ‘dig’ without a trace of Gen X irony…I’m just a nerd), but I’m kind of luke warm on the trailer. Love the idea, love the look, love Mark Ruffalo…but I don’t know.
I also look forward to Blindess, and not just because its from a great writer from my country. Look at that cast! And Fernando… City of God and Constant Gardener are two of my favorite movies. And César Charlone’s cinematography seems brilliant.
I deem this picture Worthy
Cheers
T.
This was definitely the movie I was most looking forward to – mainly because of the talent involved, I admit – but after seeing the trailer and thinking about the actual premise, is it really so terrifying being the only non-blind person? Maybe I need to read the book, but after considering it, maybe its just an interesting concept rather than a convincing truth.
But aside from the plot, can it work as a film? Although film is of course an extremely visual medium, can it really convey the terror of sudden blindness, and moreover, the apparent terror of being able to see?
i do have utter confidence in the film and its creative team, and I’m sure they’ll pull this off, but with anybody else I would be inclined to think this is just another high-concept Hollywood thriller that would’ve been better left as just a concept.
This reminds me of how sadly “The Constant Gardener” was ignored by AMPAS. It deserved nominations for Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Actor and above all …Best Picture. I am looking forward to this film because of everyone who is involved…Mereille, Charlone and Moore…..except for Ruffalo. So sorry Ruffalo fans…..but I think he is so boring to watch.
too true, Nancy.
The Constant Gardener was the Atonement of 2005.
Prestige British production, deeply and tragically romantic, directed with impeccable taste and restraint, from an elegant literary source.
4 Oscar nods for The Constant Gardener are mere crumbs compared to its 10 BAFTA nominations.
According to Jeff Wells, Blindness is playing at Cannes!
I get a very strong Children of Men meets Invasion vibe from this. This may not necessarily be a bad thing though it does seem a little gimmicky.
Proman, “a little gimmicky”?
Euan, “just another high-concept Hollywood thriller”?
I haven’t read Blindness yet, so I won’t worry about coming across as a Literati snob. You guys realize this is an adaptation of one of the most lauded novels of the past 20 years, right?
Library Journal:
To describe as allegory this story of unnamed characters in an unnamed city who are struggling with an undiagnosed epidemic of “white blindness” is both too simple and too complex. Beyond any emblematic purpose, the characters act out life with all its paradoxes and hidden truths. Ultimately, the greater meaning here is the simple story of human frailty and community in the modern world. In searing prose, both complex and minimal, all this and nothing more is revealed. No wonder Saramago won the Nobel prize this year.
The Washington Post:
“An important book, one that is unafraid to face all of the horrors of the century.”
ok, we know a movie is not a novel, and maybe no film can capture the ethereal qualities of the writing that everyone has raved about. Until I can experience Saramago’s novel for myself, I’m counting on the praise from our readers who, um, read — cjKennedy, Alison, Jennybee, and Tufas, among others. That’s enough trusted validation for me to be excited about Blindness.
Don Mckellar, Fernando Meirelles, Cesar Charlone, Mark Ruffalo, Gael Garcia Bernal… and a performance that doesn’t look too annoying from Julianne Moore. But I’m most excited about McKellar’s writing (brilliant Canadian writer) with Meirelles’ direction (loved City of God and the AMPAS-ignored The Constant Gardener). Everything is great about it. I approach something with so much talent and possible awesomeness behind it wearily.
im not too worried, i trust mairelles and charlone… moore is gonna have to carry this film, but im hoping to see how gael garcia does with his role… (the most complex character in the novel, if you ask me)
“and a performance that doesn’t look too annoying from Julianne Moore.” (Matthew)
W H A T ? ! ? Do you know that you are talking about one of the world’s best and most acclaimed screen actresses? An actress who received 4 Academy Award nominations, an actress who won the lead acting awards of the Berlin and Venice Film Festivals, an actress who gave genius, raved performances in films like “Boogie Nights”, “Magnolia”, “The End of the Affair”, “The Hours” and “Far From Heaven” (for the last one she received 20 awards in 2002), the actress who stared in Robert Altman’s “Short Cuts”, in Louis Malle’s “Vanya on 42n Street”, in the Coens’ “The Big Lebowski”, in Alfonso Cuaron’s “Children of Men” and in Todd Haynes’ “I’m Not There.”? You mean this actress? Well, no. The performance doesn’t look annoying. And with this director, Meirelles, it won’t be.
To your information: This isn’t Cameron Diaz or Catherine Zeta-Jones you are talking about. This is Julianne Moore.
Moore for Oscar.
too right, filmfan
Having seen the fascinating but seriously bent Savage Grace, Julianne Moore seems more likely to be nominated for Blindness. Savage Grace, too outré for Oscar.
Moore tops my list of actresses who should’ve won an Oscar already (Far From Heaven, Oh My God) so whatever it takes, I’m ready to hop onboard.
I’m looking forward to this film. The one-sheet is very cool and I love both Mark Ruffalo and Julianne Moore. It’s Oscar time for Moore and I’d like to see Ruffalo with a nomination.
Julianne was my favorite part of The Hours. Also stunning in Far From Heaven. Moore for Oscar!
T.
Blindness is a great novel and it’s not about the terror of being the only seeing person. It’s not a thriller at all, really, because it’s impossible to separate the concept for the richness of the book as a whole.
It’s far more complex and interesting. Saramago is a true original. Of course, Love in the TIme of Cholera was a great novel too with an actor as wonderful as Javier Bardem, and it was a disappointment.
Add my voice to The Julianne Moore love fest. Like Meryl Streep, even in the worst hokiest movies she is fantastic and makes that movie (A couple come to mind) completely watchable.
She was in I’m not there? Then I must rent it. Yes Kill me now for not having gone to see it in theater… Me! A lover of Todd Haynes movies.
Here’s the link to the Guardian article confirming BLINDNESS’ presence at Cannes:
http://film.guardian.co.uk/cannes2008/story/0,,2276320,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=16
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