MIX/VHS | Week 018

Bummed that summer's winding down? We feel your pain. But don't fret! There's lots of interesting and fantastic recommendations from your friends at MIX/VHS to dive into. We hope you enjoy your new favorite thing to watch!

The Lemon Twigs // These Words (dir. Brook Linder)

WATCH IT HERE!

I'm in love with this video. From Hicksville Long Island born brother duo The Lemon Twigs, comes the video for These Words, a single from their upcoming album titled 'Do Hollywood'. Entering a dreamy world of two 18th century revolutionaries, who some how landed in L.A. to sign their record contract, the video perfectly flows with their unique blend of baroque rock and modern pop. I love how stylized this video is, from the shadowy silhouettes and floating candlelit framing, to the juxtaposition of the the modern L.A. landscape. I highly recommend giving it a view/listen, and be sure to check out the whole album when it drops on October 14th.

-  Sloane

The Juniper Tree (dir. Nietzchka Keene)

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE!

Next month, I am going back to my favorite place in the world ICELAND and to celebrate, I am sharing with you one film that will reflect to you the odd beauty that is Iceland. My initial interest of Iceland started because of this is where artist Björk is from. So naturally, I found this 1990 art film.  The Juniper Tree is set in the middle ages and follows two sisters who have run away from home after their mother was stoned to death and burned for witchcraft. Shot in black & white, the entire film has a beautiful eeriness and I believe helps capture the magic of Iceland (read up on Icelandic fairies after this).  This is Björk in her first ever film role and it does not disappoint! It can be a bit hard to track down, though. I originally bought my DVD copy off of Amazon ages ago. You may be able to rent it from local establishments like Vulcan or I Luv Video. Find it, watch it, then go to Iceland and pretend to be baby Björk frolicking under waterfalls and running through lava fields (yes, that's a thing).

-  Faiza

Force Majeure (dir. Ruben Östlund)

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE!

Force Majeure is one of the most beautiful character studies I have seen in a long time. It is written, directed, edited, and shot in such a compelling, suspenseful, and comedic way. The lead performances from Johannes Kuhnke and Lisa Loven Kongsli are nothing short of spectacular, as they play a married couple that are put to the ultimate emotional test following an avalanche, which threatens them and their children at a mountain ski resort. This might be my favorite film that I have watched this year, so far.

-  Jake

Kendrick Lamar // Alright (dir. Colin Tilley)

WATCH IT HERE!

While I was driving late at night location scouting, I was reminded of how many hours of old commute to work were spent listening to Kendrick Lamar's incredible album. There's so much visual eye candy to take in here, but much like anything Kendrick does, it transcends being just another rap music video. It's poetic, it's striking, it's high energy, it simmers in quiet looks. It captures a little bit of everything, and at the same time, is so different than any other song/video in the album. Many more late night car rides with this music are in my future, and I hope the same for you!

-  Spencer

The Propaganda Game (dir. Álvaro Longoria)

WATCH IT HERE!

Filmmaker Álvaro Longoria tours North Korea in The Propaganda Game. This film is an interesting window into a hidden world of unbridled idealism in the midst of absolute poverty and tyranny. I've always been totally fascinated by the mystery of North Korea and this documentary provides a perspective not yet seen. Give it a watch!

-  Felix

L'eclisse (dir. Michelangelo Antonioni)

WATCH IT HERE!

When it gets rainy outside, I often cycle through criterion collection stuff on Hulu.  This film is my favorite of Antonioni's "trilogy" and features some really beautiful composition work, much like his other films.  Just about every frame in this film is a piece of art in itself with great mise en scène, and I love the way he uses frames in his work (an item that he uses in many ways and always symbolically) .  As with much of his other films, we explore ideas of alienation found within relationships, the gaps between people created by money and social structure, and internalizing some of the more depressing ideas behind the balance of knowing someone and loving them. There is a semi-distressing scene in which the lead does blackface, but it's played as a strange dialogue on race and privilege.  Anyway, If you're aiming for something riddled with image-driven metaphor, this is a slightly depressing, but very beautiful experience.

-  Carrie

Masdar City PRT Personal Rapid Transit

WATCH IT HERE!

A video of the already establish Masdar City Personal Rapid Transit system that exemplifies what Austin video game creator and entrepreneur Richard Garriott is hoping to establish in Austin. What better person to come up with a 21st century solution to our transportation in Austin. And what's amazing he is offering to pay for it - at least the first stage.

-  Anne

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