January 17, 2008

Stages of a Cinephile: Rufus

Yellow Couches and Subtitles

Genesis: Age 0

My parents decide to bring me (only a few months old) to the last showing at a drive-in theater. A double-feature of Body Heat and some other movie they can never remember. I watch both movies without making a sound. A monster is created.

The Early Years: Ages 1-7

Various Disney movies and Saturday morning cartoons are watched. My grandfather shows me classic cartoons and Fleischer’s Superman cartoons. I watch Godzilla and am terrified. I watch Fox and the Hound and cry. Also, Ghostbusters and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are gods among men.

The Manifestation aka The Yellow Couch: Ages 8-13

I begin to watch anything I am allowed to. I argue with the clerk at the local video store about movies I haven’t even seen yet. I am terrified to the point of not being able to move during The Swarm. Kurosawa becomes my favorite director. The Mysterians becomes my favorite film along with Day of the Triffids. At 10 I see Akira and my mind is blown. I spend many weekends on my grandparents' yellow couch. James Bond is my hero and I start watching old serials. At some point in here my grandfather and I stay up in a hotel room in Gettysburg after everyone else is asleep and watch Hearts of Darkness, my mind was shattered and I knew I wanted to make films.

And So it Begins: Ages 13-16

I went to a private school. All we do is watch movies. I get my first DVD player. I love Reservoir Dogs but I like City on Fire more. I watch Blade Runner, High and Low, and The Lost Boys at least once a month. I see The Good, The Bad and the Ugly and I want to make films. I somehow track down (remember: I live in a small town in the middle of nowhere) and watch Yellow Earth and Raise the Red Lantern and I want to make films. I watch Straw Dogs and Seven Samurai and want to make films. I cry secretly when watching Fox and the Hound.

A Jaunt Over the Pacific: Age 17

I go to Korea. I am never the same again. I see Friend and figure out that somehow I am going to make films in Korea.

Drawer of DVDs and LA: Ages 17-18

I begin to board for real after sleeping on couches for three years. I am now known for my drawer of DVDs and my knowledge of all things film. Korean kids borrow movies from me. I have to buy an all region player. I see Donnie Darko late at night when my roommates are asleep and have to go out in the hall because I don’t want anyone to see me cry. Boondock Saints becomes popular even though I told everyone to see it when it first came out. Blade Runner is still my favorite movie. I watch Battle Royale and want to make movies. We rent at least 6 movies a week and watch even more than that. I watch The Matrix during chapel. I decide to go to NYU. I make a kungfu movie. I work in LA for an animation studio. I hate it. I see Miike’s Audition and want to make movies.

Film School: Ages 18-21

I am in Cinema Studies. I am not making movies. I take film theory and my mind explodes. I am surprised at how many movies my classmates haven’t seen. I discover Johnnie To and Lee Chang-dong. Blade Runner is still my favorite movie. I cry openly in movies now. I work at a kung fu video store where we also sell anime. Anime fans scare me. I do a paper on In the Realm of the Senses. I show it in class and cause one kid to leave the room. I discover Japanese Pink Film. Wakamatsu becomes a favorite director. I meet Kiyoshi Kurosawa and Lee Chang-dong. I also meet Kim Dong-won. Repatriation and Charisma become favorite movies.

The Return: Ages 21-22

I spend my senior year in Korea. I spend most of my time watching movies without subtitles. A Woman’s Trilogy is watched. My Mother the Mermaid makes me cry. Actually, most Korean movies make me cry. I do a lot of crying. Blade Runner is still my favorite movie. I see pretty much everything that comes out. I also buy a lot of bootleg DVDs. Don’t tell the FBI.

Now: Ages 22-the near future

I somehow get stuck back in Connecticut. I watch even more movies. My personal DVD collection is pushing 2,000. I start a film company. I start writing for Lucid Screening. Blade Runner is bought in HD. I rediscover 1970s Hollywood (for the third time). Easy Rider is watched. I blame Spielberg for the decline in Hollywood films. No Country For Old Men gives me the familiar shaky feeling in my spine. I want to make films.