First off, yes, Mark Cousins is quite the character. The Irishman has a heavy accent, his idiosyncrasies need to get used to, and he makes the one or the other factual mistake in a gargantuan task covering no less than the world wide development of film in all kinds of directions within 15 hours. Piece of advice: Get over it. Because above all Cousins' passion for the subject clearly shows and makes his "Story of Film" saga essential viewing for anyone even remotely interested in motion pictures, novices and pros alike. However, be prepared that this is not a mere history of film, no conventional preaching/heavily analyzing documentary à la Scorsese's "Personal Journey Through American Film", where everything is laid out as clearly as possible before you. Rather this is a journey seen through the eyes of a film lover like you and I, a film lover, who focuses on key points regarding innovations of filmmaking technology or directorial creativity that advance the medium's development. Cousins, as filmmaker and critic, weaves an intricate impressionistic tapestry of the medium, he observes, points out, shows connections, helps you to see and think yourself. And the latter is what film is all about. The documentary also sketches the defining moments across the globe when film is being used for the first time and then transformed effectively by the various cultures, moments when new lines of thought are born in order to inspire whole generations of movie makers. Ranging from Hollywood's closed romantic realism over Japanese classicism, Russian avant-garde, life reconquering the screens via Italian neo-realism, you've got the French Nouvelle Vague, the Iranian New Wave, Bollywood and African curiosities often completely unknown to the rest of the world.
No other film about film is as encompassing and bold as this one, taking a holistic approach, fiercely intent on expanding the horizons of its viewers. And it succeeds - if you let it. The famous ones, the unknowns, the forgotten directors - you get all your introductions here. Cousins aims for showing you what's out there in terms of film, how these works relate to the world around them, the traditions they have emerged from and how looking beyond the rim of your cinematic teacup will help you to appreciate the phenomenon of motion picture to the fullest. The series - or the 15 hours monster film if you prefer to see it that way - is best enjoyed as the perfect companion piece to Cousins' own 500+ pages book "The Story of Film", written before he set out on his actual world wide journey to visit locations and filmmakers. And if you are as passionate as Cousins regarding film you're likely to return to this fascinating story - wanting more.
No other film about film is as encompassing and bold as this one, taking a holistic approach, fiercely intent on expanding the horizons of its viewers. And it succeeds - if you let it. The famous ones, the unknowns, the forgotten directors - you get all your introductions here. Cousins aims for showing you what's out there in terms of film, how these works relate to the world around them, the traditions they have emerged from and how looking beyond the rim of your cinematic teacup will help you to appreciate the phenomenon of motion picture to the fullest. The series - or the 15 hours monster film if you prefer to see it that way - is best enjoyed as the perfect companion piece to Cousins' own 500+ pages book "The Story of Film", written before he set out on his actual world wide journey to visit locations and filmmakers. And if you are as passionate as Cousins regarding film you're likely to return to this fascinating story - wanting more.