Manifesto

When we watch Julian Rosefeldt's ''Manifesto'', 2015 with Cate Blanchett, we were expecting that we will find a different way of filming. Director , a German artist and film maker, - https://www.julianrosefeldt.com - highlights different manifestos ranging from Dada to Flux , including Lars von Trier's Dogme 95 rules for filmmaking under 13 different characters with Cate Blanchett' s superior performance. However, film is not so bright for Cate Blanchett after her two important works : Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine, 2013 and Todd Haynes' Carol, 2015. After listening 13 different characters' speech , I remembered Leos Carax' s Holly Motors , 2012 with Denis Lavant. Directors are trying to show different aspects of their view. Meantime , a new film in the critics of art, Ruben Östlund' s the Square , 2017 is worth to thinking about.

"Manifesto" is a German English-language film that premiered back in 2015 already, so it took almost two years until this film finally came to Germany in terms of a wide release, which really should make people think as this is a German movie like I said. It is the second full feature film by writer and director Julian Rosefeldt and here he unites with 2-time Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett from Australia, who plays a total of 12(!) characters during these 90 minutes. The consequence is that there are hardly any other characters in here and those who are are basically just minor supporting players without dialogue. I think I remember only one other character talk very briefly on one occasion, namely during the tattoo punk segment. Anyway, this is a film about art, about all kinds of approaches to art, about how art is seen and also about how art should be created. The good thing is that, even if you have zero connection with art in the sense of paintings, sculptures etc. you can still definitely enjoy the watch here. It is honestly far more important that you at least don't mind Blanchett as an actress, preferably even like her or love her. I have general criticisms that she is pretty sterile and cold most of the time, but I would not necessarily agree. I usually like her a lot and she is pretty great when given the right role, like her more recent Oscar-winning performance that was perfect for her. Back to this one here now, it is an educational film too I think and I am sure it depends on yourself with which characters in here you identify the most in terms of what they have to say about art. You probably won't find one that fits your approach 100%, but that's not a problem as you can just name several. I think the one who came the closest for me was the tattooed punk I mentioned earlier already. Sorry Chopin lovers! Another good thing is as well that the film is pretty funny at times too thanks to Blanchett's take on and Rosefeldt's writing of the characters and the scenarios we see them in. Blanchett sure gives the ultimate chameleon performance, even if this one is too "special" obviously for the Academy and several other awards bodies to pay it some recognition. And it is somewhat the exact opposite of a film like the recent Thor sequel, in which Blanchett plays a major part too. Anyway, I myself liked the watch here, even if it was not on a level where I would say it is among the year's very best or a must-watch. Back to the introduction, it is pretty telling a genuinely artistic film like this one needs so long to be released here while the Schweighöfer audience heads to cinemas on a weekly basis to honor their false heroes. But hey maybe we can be glad it got a wide release at all. It is also a big success visually looking at the excellent set decoration from start to finish. Each character gets 7-8 minutes screen time as average, but of course some get more and return later on for a second sequence, like the recurring table food sequence, while others disappear as quickly as they came. That's all then I guess. A certain thumbs-up from me for Rosefeldt and Blanchett, especially the former as I think this was a really challenging project that could have gone all kinds of wrong, but turned out as well as I expected when reading the name of Cate Blanchett, who can be relied on as usual. Check it out if you get a chance to. This may very well be the most artistic movie of 2015.

I loved this shit, it's so colourful! "Hahaha, the above text was rejected for being too short. Kate did warn us about rules didn't she."

...And the best thing we've seen all year. We love great acting, big ideas, inspired film settings and cinematography, and ironically subtle subtexts. This film has them all. Wow. If you can keep your mind focused for an hour and a half and can hear ideas while recognizing how visuals can function as a counterpoint that often critiques them, this film is for you, otherwise it is probably NOT for you.

I didn't quite get it myself maybe partly cause english isn't my native language and the profanity was distracting but I think the general idea was about art being put on a leash with rules and manufactured for the consumer (like in the scene where the teacher CORRECTS the art of children instead of leaving it as it is) rather than being created as it is.It also seems to be about being too obsessed with glorifying old art and not really creating anything unique to our current time.

This film tells the story of twelve people who make manifestos about art and life in general. The captivating thing about this film is that Cate Blanchett plays twelve different characters in various walks of life. It gives her the opportunity to shine bright as usual. However, there is little story in the film. The scenes are merely there to convey the manifestos. It is a daring project, but it is probably too artistic for me. I appreciate the concept and the artistic achievement, but I cannot say I enjoyed watching it.

There is more art in this movie than in any of the mainstream movies you will find. It portrays passion for art and ideas humankind used to have in previous centuries. This passion was often expressed in a very radical language, as a result of the struggle between the driven artists and the establishment. All of that has disappeared in recent times, and all art has become derivative and compliant with consumerism. Cate Blanchett's performance in various parts ranges from great to mesmerising. I've never really paid much attention to her work up until now but based on her acting in Manifesto, she's definitely the greatest actress of our time. She's got it all. She could turn anyone into a Dadaist.

Amazing cinematic experience guaranteed! Saw Manifesto yesterday as part of the Holland Festival cultural event. This is now a movie. I saw it as an installation of screens with short scenes and words spoken, based almost exclusively on famous and lesser known art scene manifestos. It could have been pretentious, but, director Julian Rosefeldt and the amazing Cate Blanchett turned this work into a flowing movie with connecting dots. In the installation there is some synchronicity in the screens, in that the 12/13 characters sing part of their text simultaneously. You may actually figure out some of the background surrounding the manifestos (such as Dadaism,Dogma). It was joyful and intense experience. One thing is sure, Cate Blanchett is the most prolific,daring, energetic, chameleon, dedicated, fun actor around.

walking into the dark room of the second floor in the NSW art gallery surrounded by screens all playing simultaneously. You sit down, confused watching the last minute of any one short. It starts over and you are instantly captured by the character. Cate Blanchett's stage is calmly set with drone shots and slow continuous camera movements. Here on her stage she draws you into this character, and their life. Blanchett captures your immediate attention and holds it until the screen goes black. Some stories did not resonate with me but others drew me in and kept me sitting in awe.

Congratulations to absolutely everyone involved in this truly outstanding piece of work. Cate Blanchet's acting talent simply left me open-mouthed. What incredible performances. It's not an easy watch, so don't even try if you're tired. But if you're up for some real cinematic art, this is a gem.