MIX/VHS | Week 009

MIX/VHS is bigger and better than ever! We welcome a bunch of new contributors to this week's mix, giving you guys lots of good stuff to sink your teeth into. As always, we hope you enjoy!

A Woman's Epic Journey to Climb 7 Mountains (dir. by Kusangi) 

WATCH IT HERE!

This is a short film shot entirely on an iPhone 6S, and it's incredibly beautiful and inspirational. The film follows a Bangladeshi woman who climbs to the top of all the tallest mountains on every continent, and is narrated by her. Her journey is one that has many emotional hardships. This could easily turn into a much longer documentary.

-  Brooke

Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

WATCH IT HERE!

Very few things in life can be revisited with the same amount of wonder and inspiration as their first experience. But you know what? This is one of them. Randy Pausch was dying of cancer in 2007, and spoke to a crowded lecture hall about achieving childhood dreams and helping others achieve their childhood dreams with as much enthusiasm and wonder as ever. It's funny, it's moving, it's earnest: It's a perfect moment of a man reflecting on his life with so much gratitude for others. In the face of dying, Randy Pausch was trying to leave his mark one last time in people's hearts. And he does. He really really does. You will be smiling so wide and crying so hard all at the same time. Don't skip this. Seriously. It's changed my life in so many ways. See this.

-  Spencer

The Story of The Last Chrysanthemums (dir. by Kenji Mizoguchi)

WATCH IT HERE!

One of legendary director Kenji Mizoguchi's earlier films. The Story of The Last Chrysanthemums follows the life of a young egotistical kabuki actor who is highly regarded due to his lineage but thought of as a joke behind his back. Only once a young women tells him the truth does he begin his journey to become a truly great performer. The film is highly regarded for its inventive camera angles and drawn out shots that are still seen today in many films. It's also an amazing window into the culture and aesthetic of traditional Japan.

-  Felix

The Lobster (dir. by Yorgos Lanthimos)

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE!

The Lobster is the English language debut from Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos. I recently saw this film without knowing much about the plot other than the general concept. Basically it's set in a dystopian universe where single people are given 45 days to find a match before being turned into an animal and given a second chance at love. It's very interesting in the way that it's not overtly sic-fi. It all takes place in this different world, yet it looks just like our own which gives it this eerie realness throughout. It's a wonderful metaphor for finding love in our current day and age, and just sort of boils down everyday issues into this super concentrate of stylized understanding. It's beautifully filmed, and the coloration gives it an overall feeling of bleak despair. The comedic elements are very intelligent, and it'll keep you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend checking out The Lobster, it's definitely a masterpiece.

-  Sloane

Tame Impala // The Less I Know the Better (dir. by CANADA)

WATCH IT HERE!

Warning: Contains NSFW content, a catchy bass, and gorillas.

Tame Impala has been one of my favorite music artists since their album Lonerism came out in 2012. They have a unique sound often described as “psychedelic rock” and I honestly can’t stop listening to The Less I Know the Better. But even more unusual is the song’s music video directed by Canada, an international collective of directors based in Barcelona and London known for their unconventional commercials and videos. As weird as this music video is, you can’t help but be mesmerized. If you want to see more of Canada’s eclectic work, check out Crème Caramel, which was filmed as part of NOWNESS’ #definebeauty campaign two years ago (again, NSFW)

-  Samantha

10 Cloverfield Lane (dir. by Dan Trachtenberg)

WATCH IT HERE!

Ok, so I'm gonna try to write this bad boy with as little spoilers as possible, though it might be hard not to spill the beans on some plot points so be forewarned: possible spoilers ahead. Alright, with that out of the way, I have to say that 10 Cloverfield Lane renewed my faith in the movie industry's ability to create worthy Science Fiction classics. Until recently, I was bummed about the state of Sci-Fi in major movie block busters. Since 2010, I feel like my unquenchable thirst for Sci-Fi hadn't been met by a big budget movie in years with the exception of maybe James Gunn directed Guardians of The Galaxy and Prometheus (which I know some people had a problem with, especially because of the ending--a concern I also share). However, Cloverfield Lane assuaged some of those bummed feelings greatly. The movie, I felt, was--finally--a smart, socially conscious science fiction that spoke to a certain shared zeitgeist about the state of our politically and generationally divided country. The conflict in the story is essentially sourced through this divide, diagnosticating that extreme points of view now run down to the very core of a person's being--shaping how we actually interact with others around us and the loved ones in our life. The huge difference's in politics and sociability between Howard (John Goodman)--the owner of the meticulously prepared fallout shelter--and Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Emmet (John Gallagher Jr.) is not only palatable but dangerous. Though it's strengths are in no way tied to it's reliance on incredible special effects, I really regret not seeing this in theaters, as I feel the tension in certain scenes would have been fun to experience with a large group of people :P. Eitherway, still worth a watch. You can check out the movie via Amazon instant or grab a physical copy.

-  Hamilton

Miike Snow // Genghis Kahn (dir. by Ninian Doff)

WATCH IT HERE!

Nothing like a music video that depicts, then proceeds to destroy and uproot the classic "Bond/Bond Villain" story, as well as marriage, relationship archetypes, and a whole array of other themes. Miike Snow's energetic song, "Genghis Khan" is expertly put onto screen and directed by Ninian Doff, a Vimeo Staff Picks favorite. The video depicts a Bond-esque villain struggling to come to terms with what defines him as a villain. Is he really that evil? Does he care for his family outside of his work? I mean, the only true constant to this Bond-esque villain is the Bond-esque hero he fights against. And the two have clearly had a push-pull relationship, a "love/hate," if you will. The music video, for such a simple time length, deals with so many issues in such a beautiful and absolutely fun way, and it is all the more assisted with the great song. Arguably one of the best music videos I've ever seen.

-  Jake

Hush (dir. by Mike Flanagan)

WATCH IT HERE!

A low-budget psychological horror about a deaf writer who retreats into the woods to lives a solitary life and must fight for her life in silence when a masked killer appears at her window. After seeing this film, I can totally relate to the main character who is deaf due to the fact I am also deaf. For those people who are not deaf should definitely watch this film because it can teach you a lesson about deaf people. Like how to survive and be wise about the decision of surveillance. If you are in the mood for a well-acted, less than cliche, and original story, then this film is for you. Hush is available on Netflix right now.

-  Katarina

The Kármán Line (dir. by Oscar Sharp)

WATCH IT HERE!

This incredibly moving piece really sneaks up on you.  I want to let you enjoy it without the preface of exactly what the story is about, but it doesn't seem like I see too many short films can that can pack quite the emotional punch this one does.  This will especially get at you if you've had something like this happen to you (not a family member float away, but you'll get what I'm saying).  It is just such a poignant metaphor that makes me tear up a little each time I watch it.  On the flip side, it also has some really impressive visual effects going on which allow you to get really immersed in the story.  You can tell this story comes from a deep place, and is very successful in conveying just that.

-  Carrie

The Wild Blue Yonder (dir. by Werner Herzog)

 WATCH THE TRAILER HERE!

I was looking at the CineSpace competition invitation and couldn't help but think of this film. By far the best mix of story and space footage. Way out there but beautiful. I think it was the first film I saw at Fantastic Festival in 2005 - I knew after that screening, Fantastic Fest would be my week off each year to go see movies.

-  Anne

Like this mix? Tell us what you think in the comments below, and let us know what you’re watching this week!