John Cassavetes' spirit and cinematic approach stand the test of time. I would say it is as important today as it was then, if not more so. I remember watching his films during film school. Shadows, Faces, A Woman Under the Influence were the titles that captured the essence of filmmaking as I saw it back then. Watching this documentary almost thirty years later, immersed me in the same spirit. So many years later as I am already in the middle of my own career, Cassavetes is Cassavetes—his words, his spirit, and his approach to filmmaking are as alive today as they were in the late sixties. The message of freedom of thought, freedom to create for the purpose of creating and not recognition is a reminder of the importance filmmaking has had into the search of understanding the human spirit. How can one find the curiosity to explore and the curiosity to ask questions when the mechanisms of financing cinema determine ahead of time the outcome. Cassavetes' own sense of liberation is a wake up call for all truly independent filmmakers who today have the chance to make films without the extreme financing required back then when syncing and processing film required a filmmaker to mortgage their house. We must ask ourselves today when the process of filmmaking has become accessible to all, what are the mechanisms that are causing self censorship? It is somewhat interesting to think about the iPhone replacing the 16 mm camera, what has changed? Are we freer to express or are we bound by other processes of oppression both as viewers as well as makers? Filmmaking as a way of life is Cassavetes – a struggle to be free from the authorities that stop us from expressing ourselves. This documentary is a French production directed by Hubert Knapp and André S. Labarthe, who are both in awe of the inspiring young American filmmaker as they are about the culture that produced him. The tension occurred due to this meeting of two cultures – French and American – is endearing, and produces a frank and inspiring portrait of a man whose entire career was devoted to capturing the feeling of being human.

Danae Elon
Filmmaker

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