Reviewed at the 2008 Palm Springs International Film Festival
(2008, 70 min) So poorly put-together that it actually serves to trivialize the holocaust, this weak documentary is a real waste of its noble and intriguing subjects.
During the Holocaust, the Nazis did their damndest to keep their prisoners (whether in concentration camps or ghettos) in line, including the suppression of all art that wasn't directly related to German propaganda. But as with all oppressive societies, a noble few rebelled, and some of this art survived, with or without the lives of their creators.
The focus is supposed to be on the artwork created by prisoners of the Holocaust, but director Hilary Helstein never shows us a complete image, only fragments, Ken Burns style. Her attempt to break up the static talking heads serves to deny us the full scale of the art; to me, it felt disrespectful to the people who risked (and sacrificed) their lives creating, hiding and preserving the work. Some pieces seemed breathtaking, and others amateurish yet powerful expressions of subversion, but it's hard to tell when all we're offered is fragments. The heavily pixellated digital projection doesn't help; its quality could improve when shown on the Sundance Channel or on DVD.
Maya Angelou narrates with the most purple of prose, as if anything Holocaust related needed to be overstated: "Now instead of capturing beautiful landscapes, Hitler captured people." "The musicians were cruelly forced to play upbeat marches in order to drown out the screams of the prisoners." Did the legendary poet even know what she was reading? The score is likewise overbearing, obvious and intrusive. The real tragedy is that the remaining survivors are so old, this might have been their last chance to tell their stories. What a shame.
© TLA Entertainment Group
4 comments:
Too bad David Gorgos is just another failed nobody who doesn't have the talent nor balls to actually make a film, so he scrapes his way through trying to be "edgy" and controversial. Go back under your rock.
I hate rain on your parade, "Michael" (if that is your real name) but Mr. Gorgos was involved in many a short film project (Robot Pizza Butler for example). Sure, it's no As Seen Through These Eyes (thank God) but he does have balls, good sir. Gigantic, talent-filled balls. So, you stay up there in the real world. I'll be under the rock with David Gorgos getting fuckin' wasted.
There are a few points that are missing from this emotional review of AS SEEN THROUGH THESE EYES. The film did get RUNNER UP for BEST DOCUMENTARY at the very festival Mr. Gorgos reviewed it at (Palm Springs Film Festival) where there was very little publicity and word of mouth carried the film.
AND Dr. Angelou had a large hand in writing the dialogue that came out of her mouth and is credited as such. So some may feel her words are petty, but she was very aware of what she was saying.
That being said, we do respect and appreciate everyone's opinion.
Amy Janes
Producer
David Gorgos, Who are you kidding? Surely, you have discussed your overestimated sense of self with a professional!
I find it unlikely that no one has told you that you are an ignoramus. Your pageantry is not mistaken for expertise; your opinion lacks merit!
A formal education can sometimes make a difference for those not predisposed to intellect.
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