Week 16 Questions Mumblecore

1. What has been the ongoing relationship between so-called mumblecore filmmakers and the South By Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin, TX.

 

South by Southwest seems to have taken a liking to programming “mumblecore” films.  South by Southwest seems to be the first festival for a lot of the filmmakers.  Most of the filmmakers act in each other’s films.  2005 was a breakout year for mumblecore, which is now being called a movement by critics and some of the filmmakers.

 

2. Broadly speaking, what characteristics define mumblecore?

 

Not all mumblecore movies are alike but the majority are directed by twenty something year olds.  It is a bunch of young kids making low-budget films on DV.  The acting is typically very naturalistic and sometimes improv, like Hannah Takes the Stairs.  Scripts are usually drawn up and full but only used as a blueprint.  Directors seem to act in each other’s films.  Most of the actors are non-professional actors.  The movement stands behind sincere youth making sincere movies.  The camerawork is usually handheld with a cinema-verite feel.  Most of the actors are white and educated searching for artistic endeavors.  Almost always constant is the message of communication.  The only rule is “no jerks.”

 

 

3. What have been the most common charges against mumblecore?

People are upset that these filmmakers would spend so much time on issues that are so much.  Many people at Q&A complain about the stories being too everyday.  The audience accuses the directors of being pretentious.  The directors feel like their personal stories are the ones they can tell most completely.

 

4. How has the internet affected the DIY distribution of mumblecore films?

Distribution deals aren’t necessary for these filmmakers.  They are self-distributing their films.  Many garbage distribution companies are trying to buy the big mumblecore films for around 15,000 dollars.  Filmmakers have started selling it on personal website and have sold thousands.  Nerve.com told Swanberg that his movies are slowly starting to sell over time.  These films can be sold on the imternet without a theatrical release.

 

5. What have been some of the negative consequences of the mumblecore label?

 

I think that most of the films that are label together through the movement are seen as being all the same.  Once you have seen one of them you have seen them all.  They are all low-budget films shoot on DV of miserable white kids talking. Bujalski explains that a lot of the films are alike and some are extremely difficult to decipher or sit through, but the little things that make them different is where the magic lies.