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| Cate Blanchett's Rock Star iteration in Julian Rosenfeldt's Manifesto (2017) |
Some people might say that they would see Cate Blanchett in anything, that she really elevates a film to a whole other level. I tend to agree, although
Blue Jasmine, directed by "he who shall not be named" is a strike against her. Still, if you loved her as Bob Dylan in Todd Haynes's
I'm Still Here, Julian Rosenfeldt's
Manifesto really allows her talents to shine.
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| Blanchett takes on a series of personas to deliver monologues on a variety of Manifestos |
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If you are looking for a film with a narrative arc, then this film is NOT for you. It consists of a series of vignettes, where Blanchett takes on a host of different characters: choreographer, homeless person, conservative housewife, financial broker, news anchor, puppeteer, etc. She then spouts a series of monologues written, largely, by famous white guys, who pontificate on art and life in various "manifestos." She covers a broad range of works that had me chuckling throughout and reliving some of grad school's finest moments--surrealism, communism, futurism, situationism, minimalism, conceptual art, and even the Dogme 95 guys.
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| Cate's choreographer shouts at a bunch of dancing Xenomorphs while spouting Fluxus theory |
This litany of theories might sound rather boring, but the film is really and truly visually dynamic. Rosenfeldt uses carefully composed frames, stunning set pieces, and many long, aerial shots to keep the film formally attractive and enticing. One of the standout scenes is when Choreographer Cate puts together a rather unusual dance performance while spouting Fluxus. Another scene has Widower Cate going on about Dada at a funeral. The collisions of sound and image are witty and smart. One of my favorites has Schoolteacher Cate teaching a bunch of grade school kids how to follow the Dogme 95 rules. My one caveat is that sometimes I felt distracted by the soundtrack and the visual track, as if I was struggling to place the ideas in a monologue, but was so delighted by the images onscreen, that I just kind of gave up. The references are fast and furious, and made me want to reread some of the quoted theorists while also going through the film
very slowly in order to catch everything.
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| Puppeteer Cate unpacks Surrealism |
Would this film fly with someone not steeped in some of the most important artistic and cultural theories of the 20th century? I don't think so, UNLESS you are a huge Cate Blanchett fan. Then, who cares what she's going on about--her performances are extraordinary in
Manifesto, and gives me hope that there are still plenty of smart people out there who would truly dig this unique and inventive film.
