Hello again, friends! By the way, there is such a Russian series – “Hello again!” With wonderful humor and a wonderful cast (Merzlikin, Chinarev, Vlasenko). But I already wrote about this project and even interviewed one of the actors of the series for my blog.
And today we will talk about what is currently being discussed, or rather, what is being watched at the film department of New York University (NYU), where I study and from which I graduate in a month. I can’t believe that the fourth year of my bachelor’s degree is coming to an end… I hope you haven’t lost sight of me, but just managed to get bored. I promise to appear more often in the summer, and broadcast from Moscow!
In the meantime, I want to share with you my opinion about the most discussed series among students and teachers of my department – what is liked, what is criticized, what continues, and what is expected. And guess what domestic series I presented in class – after watching it, the first question was: “Will the series be shown on Netflix? It will be an explosion!”
So what do you like:
“Three body problem” — the new hit of the Netflix platform is based on the science fiction saga “The Three-Body Problem” by Chinese author Liu Cixin. From the very beginning, it amazes not only with its rich visuals and dynamic plot, but also with its pronounced geopolitical symbolism. Thus, the series touches on the theme of the clash of civilizations, and this in conditions where Chinese-American relations lack the sustainable cultural exchange necessary for mutual understanding. There are not many cases where a notable work of pop culture so clearly works along plot lines that are fraught with serious conflict, albeit between fictional powers. And this gives rise to a lot of different opinions. Both the difficulties of translating the book itself from Chinese into English and the problems of adapting the text for the screen contributed to the ambiguity of perception of the series. It could be said that there is something of a perception problem here, where different views and opinions lead to vastly different interpretations and reactions. In general, the series is approved by the audience: professors recommend watching it, and students look for hidden “Easter eggs” between the lines in each episode. Apparently it’s worth it.
“Shogun” — we note that the most famous film ratings site Rotten Tomatoes gave this project 99 out of a hundred, which happens extremely rarely. Even the impeccable “Heirs” with a collection of various awards received only 95 percent. “Shogun” is a series created based on another best-selling book by English writer James Clavell. The action takes place in Japan in 1600 on the verge of an unfolding civil war that lasts a century. Lord Yoshi Toranaga fights for his life as his enemies unite against him, and a mysterious European ship is discovered stranded in a nearby fishing village.
The guys from the faculty describe the series as something of high quality and epic, where the outcome of the centuries-old civil war depends on each sword – the katana, and the fate of the samurai is closely connected with the rules of honor, and every turn of events can change the whole history. This is the era of feudal Japan, where the destinies of the people, places and events that defined this period are intertwined. Recently in class, my teacher, a professor, said that “Shogun” was a series that she had been waiting for for several months, so please don’t disturb her on the weekends. Not that we planned it, madam, but we wish you a pleasant viewing…)
“New Look: Style Revolution” – a lot of American critics managed to attack the new series from Apple, arguing that in this story style is in the background, like its main characters Coco Chanel and Christian Dior, and in the foreground is the Second World War going on at that time. They say that she becomes the main focus of the series, and the designers are devalued against her background. The guys and I don’t agree. The series shows not how fashion and art fade into the background during the war, but how creative people like Chanel and Dior are able to influence the course of the conflict in their own way, giving people hope for peace and freedom that seemed to be lost forever. The film, through the prism of war, tells the fate of several already well-known Parisian fashion designers, such as Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, as well as Lucien Lelong, Cristobal Balenciaga, Pierre Balmain and Pierre Cardin, and how they overcame the dangers and temptations of the German occupation. . New Look is not limited to the theme of fashion aesthetics and does not try to smooth over the history of the tragic occupation of France, reducing everything to the fate of fashion houses of that time. On the contrary, the series creates the conviction that, despite the hardships and horrors of war, people will always strive for beauty, and fashion will play its role in this, as it played in difficult war times, leaving us as a legacy of its “new image” . This image ultimately changed the way much of the world dressed.
“Gentlemen” Guy Ritchie is a genius when it comes to action films with a touch of elegance and style. And this year he proved his genius through the prism of the series. “The Gentlemen” is a remake of Ritchie’s film of the same name, released in 2020, which enjoyed enormous success. The film and the series are similar in many ways, but at the same time completely different. In the series, instead of the then McConaughey and Grant, the main faces are the very charismatic (and incredibly sexy) Theo James and the rising Hollywood star Kaya Skoldelario. Intrigue? Check. Riddles and clues? Check. Conflicts and fraud? Check. Chemistry? Check. In general, many of my university teachers are not fans of Ritchie and believe that he is not a director whose projects should be followed. However, they say, as a producer he has a lot to learn. Especially in how to recruit such a stellar cast that whether the plot is worthwhile or not will no longer matter much. And then the same teachers, wise with professional experience, will watch the series until the very end. The other day, for example, at a lecture, when the professor displayed material from his computer on the screen, in the background I saw a picture from this particular series and a “continue watching” button. The professor was on the penultimate episode. Well, it looks like the series was a success.
“Black Spring” — once in a film criticism class, the teacher asked me to select a Russian series for viewing and discussion as part of a seminar on foreign projects. After watching the trailer for “Black Spring” in Russian (the subtitles did not turn on), the guys in the class began persistently asking where they could quickly watch this improved version of “Euphoria.” I answer: you can watch it on the Start platform, and even with English subtitles. Now this project is being discussed by my entire faculty – the idea of directors Sergei Taramaev and Lyubov Lvova to be inspired, on the one hand, by Pushkin, and on the other, by “Fight Club” has now struck the hearts of foreigners. The project is unique, there are no others like it. So far the series has one season with an ambiguous ending, and yet after finishing watching, as a viewer you do not feel deprived. And he laughed, and cried, and suffered along with the characters. The film touches on many important topics, and the main one, of course, is love. In its various manifestations.
PS Gleb Kalyuzhny and Artem Koshman became the new crushes of all the girls in my group. Well, where would we be without Kologrivy, as the leader of the gang;)
What is criticized:
“Ripley” is Netflix’s new adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley, the first book in the novel series known as The Ripliade. Andrew Scott, who became famous after the projects “Sherlock” and “Fleabag”, takes on the role of the main anti-hero Patricia Highsmith and, according to Western critics, does it flawlessly. However, despite a completely different interpretation from the Ripley film starring Matt Damon, the eight-episode series has been described as drawn-out, empty and emotionless. Director Steven Zaillian made every effort – black and white, shooting in Italy, costumes – to make the film memorable, but for most it was a miss. The faculty say that after such a phenomenal film in 1999, the series was in trouble. And let’s be honest: competing with Damon (and even with Lowe and Paltrow) is far from easy.
“Feud: Truman Capote vs. the Swans” — the second season of the anthology series led by Ryan Murphy (“American Horror Story,” “Scream Queens,” “Ratched,” “Hollywood”). If the first season was quite loud and successful, then this one turned out to be a failure. Throughout his years in Hollywood, Murphy has amassed a loyal army of actors, including Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Emma Roberts and Darren Criss, who usually grace his impressive and unusual horror-thriller projects. However, the second season of Feud is disgusting. Despite, again, a stellar cast – Tom Hollander, Naomi Watts, Demi Moore and company – the main character (Hollander) is shown in such an unpleasant and disgusting light that his machinations over the course of eight episodes do not generate any interest. And Hollander himself overplays Capote, adding too much homosexuality and artificiality to this character. Plus, Murphy’s style is too evident in the project, and this strain makes everything no longer aesthetically pleasing and intriguing, but faded and secondary. The professor even removed the series from the list of what we had to watch.
What’s going on:
“Bridgerton” (Season 3) – the hit series in the style of the novels of Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott with references to history returns on May 16. A sophisticated medieval version of “Gossip Girl” with unique costumes, scenery, locations and very worthy actors. So we’ll see if the new season can maintain the level of the first two. And let’s not forget about the legendary soundtrack, where the orchestra performs modern songs (from Beyoncé, Maroon 5 and John Legend, etc.) during the balls, where the outpouring of the characters’ feelings usually takes place. We agree that the series is not filled with any particularly deep meaning and does not pretend to have any important morality, but how beautiful it all is!
“House of the Dragon” (Season 2) – the continuation of the prequel to the series “Game of Thrones” starts in June. After the disastrous final episode of The Game, all hope was placed on House of the Dragon. And she was justified. Fans of the franchise liked the prequel so much that it was renewed for another season just a week after the release of the first. If you love fantasy series about imaginary wars and empires, then House of the Dragon is made for you. Personally, I don’t understand either series, but if you only knew how much they are loved in my department… I haven’t had a single teacher who hasn’t given me the task of watching at least a few episodes of the franchise.
“The Handmaid’s Tale” (Season 6) – great news for loyal viewers of the dystopian series based on the book of the same name by Margaret Atwood! This is the story of what is known as Gilead, a prehistoric world preserved in the ruins of what once was the United States. Due to a sharp decline in the birth rate in Gilead, a political regime is established that turns women into property. The main character, Offred (Elisabeth Moss), is a fertile servant who falls into sexual slavery. Making her way through the tangled relationships of the so-called commanders, their honorary spouses and obedient concubines, Offred, along with her companions, carefully builds a road to resistance. Recently, the creators of the series promised that the 6th season will be released later this year. As you know, they wait three years for what was promised, but this series was awaited with special impatience.
Well, where do you start?
