Design City Film Season
Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor
October sees the return of Design Manchester. Now in its fourth year, Manchester’s festival of design and creativity is celebrating design in cinema with an eclectic season of acclaimed films at HOME. A different expert will introduce each film and provide personal stories, insights and critiques.
First up, on Sunday 16th October, is David Fincher’s Fight Club, which will be introduced by the film’s celebrated production designer Alex McDowell. Adapted from Chuck Palahniuk’s novel, the film stars Edward Norton as a disillusioned office worker who finds solace in pugilism after meeting a questionable guru named Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt). Perhaps not Fincher’s greatest work – Zodiac and The Social Network remain deeper and more quietly impressive – Fight Club nevertheless lingers as an influential, chest-thumping examination of disaffected masculinity.
Vertigo recently supplanted Citizen Kane when it was voted as the best film ever made in Sight and Sound’s prestigious once-a-decade critics’ poll. The 1958 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, stars James Stewart as a San Francisco detective hired to track a woman who seems to be possessed by the past. Hitchcock’s woozy exploration of obsession is absolutely entrancing and should play brilliantly on the big screen. On Monday 17th October, design writer Alice Rawsthorn will be on hand to present the film and talk about Saul Bass’ iconic title sequence.
The Design Manchester team lighten the mood a little on Tuesday 18th October as film expert Christopher Frayling introduces Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. Stanley Kubrick’s classic satirical take on military incompetence and warmongering officials is equal parts hysterical and chilling. Unfortunately, and thanks largely to a certain megalomaniacal U.S. presidential candidate, the films apocalyptic vision remains as relevant as ever. Just remember: “You can’t fight in here. This is the War Room!”
Finally, on Sunday 23rd October, there’s a chance to catch Charles Atlas’ rarely screened “docufantasy” Hail the New Puritan. This fictive portrait of charismatic choreographer Michael Clark promises a look at 1980s post-punk London subculture that is full of music, fashion and flamboyant dance sequences. The screening at HOME will be introduced by graphic designer Malcolm Garrett who has worked with Clark since 1987.
