This film is only one minute long. Yet, what is said in those precious 60 seconds could fill a series of books about film and pop culture. Written, directed by and starring Ari Gold, “Culture” is one part performance piece and another part essay on movie violence and moviegoer’s thirst for blood. Yeah, it sounds heady, intellectual and a bit pretentious, but it’s not. It is in this film’s simplicity that this complex commentary can be unraveled or it may just be enjoyed for what it is – an actor flexing every muscle in his highly trained body.
Gold steps into frame, prepares himself, takes a deep breath and suddenly reacts to a hail of imaginary gunfire. Pummeled by bullets, we see the pain on his face. He leaps out of frame and fires off some imaginary rounds at his offscreen attackers. Then, his hand is blown off. (Again, all in his mind, like a child playing war.) Gold acts out some of the action out in slow-motion and provides his own sound and music effects. He is finally blown away with one final gunshot and is thrown against the wall to a glorious explosion of bright red blood splattered against the wall.
This all transpires over 60 seconds, in fact, it will take you longer to read this review than to see the film, but it may be seen over and over again and examined and argued about as to its meaning. “Culture” is 60 seconds of pure cinematic brilliance.
(NOTE: The film complies with Gold’s tongue in cheek “Dogma 99” rules below.)
THIS FILM COMPLIES WITH THE RULES SET FORTH IN “DOGMA 99” ^ 1. THE FILM MUST BE EXACTLY ONE MINUTE IN LENGTH ^ 2. THE FILM MUST HAVE NO CUTS ^ 3. THE NUMBER 3 MUST NOT BE MENTIONED ^ 4. THE FILM MUST HAVE LIVE SOUND ONLY (NO POST) ^ 5. THE FILM MUST HAVE NO DIALOGUE ^ 6. ONLY BLACK, WHITE, AND PRIMARY COLORS MAY BE USED ^ 7. THE FILM MUST BE SHOT IN ONE TAKE, WITH NO REHEARSALS ^ 8. THE FILM MUST BE PROJECTED IN 35MM ^ 9. THE CAMERA MUST NOT MOVE ^ 10. ARI VON GOLD MUST PERFORM IN THE FILM
Read the interview with director Ari Gold>>>
