Depending on your personal family history, a story like the one told in the 2021 film Passing will not be revelatory. In fact, there are more than a few broken branches in my own family tree telling a similarly themed story.
Passing is the directorial debut of British actor Rebecca Hall and based on the 1929 Nella Larsen novel of the same name. Hall also adapted the screenplay. Passing premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
Browsing Criterion Channel’s vast collection is almost enough to take up a great portion of your day. More recently, I took advantage of the extra hour granted to us and indulged in a little Sunday morning Double Feature of Klute and In the Cut – two films, 30 years apart – and asked myself many questions. Chief among them: are these noir?
The prior (Klute) was always a film that I had wanted to see, largely based on my late father’s fondness for the Alan J Pakula classic from 1971. In the Cut was far less familiar to me. The passing knowledge I had acquired came and went as fast as it had during its initial theatrical run in 2003.
On its surface, I can see why the curators of the Collection thought it would be a great idea to pair these two films together:
So I guess the question after viewing is – what did I think of these films, separate and apart? Fine out under the cut.
[Read more…]Cutting it kind of close, but here is a pretty comprehensive list of the TCM Film Festival I am looking forward to. The lists are divided by virtual venue – programming which will be broadcast on the TCM network as well as the TCM curated section of the streaming service HBO Max (requires a subscription). All times are EST.
You can even participate in a Club TCM event (access subject to availability). Last night, I had the please of attending “Meet TCM” and tonight, I am all set for the “Opening Night Toast With the Hosts” a little later at 6:00PM EST.
Overall, my impression is that there is literally something for everyone – and minus the queueing up (although I do miss the socializing that queueing for hours inevitably brings). Check back later AFTER the festival for a wrap up of my experience.
Also note – realistically, I do not imagine I will watch everything I have called out below. But hopefully, this collection will serve as inspiration for you to check out something that you might not have otherwise considered.
