Love is Strange & Inspiring
As part of the new Blog it Forward mash up, we are asked to post about "what inspires us". Many many things do this for me, so you might think it hard to choose. It wasn't. Without hesitation the single biggest influence for me are Films and the first one that always comes to my mind is the haunting masterpiece Badlands. It was written and directed by Terrence Malick and released in 1973.
Based loosely on the Charles Starkweather and Caril Fugate case, who are considered the first American spree killers. It is a compelling story told with careful restraint by Malick and rich imagery from cinematographer Tak Fujimoto. So beautiful is the photography in this film, I have shown it in full to some of my classes.
This is one of my favorite sequences in the film, the imagery combined with Sissy's narration and the incredible score by George Aliceson Tipton. Below an interesting British promotion for it's release, notice the "X" rating.
A few years ago in NYC, I got the opportunity to photograph Sissy Spacek for a magazine. I can honestly say, despite all the famous people I have shot, I have never really been in awe of anyone, till this assignment. She put me quickly at ease though, her own nervousness about being photographed apparent. Then she asked if we had any beer, even though it was a rental studio there just happened to be single can of Budwieser in the fridge. She just had a few sips but it helped her relax. A true Texas girl, she grew up twirling a baton and it was featured in the movie in a scene where she first meets Sheen's character. I brought a baton and she actually twirled it for me, fun images but is the ethereal image below that remains my favorite.
Now time to send you over to see what inspired Peanut Butter & Poetry and then tomorrow check out Pink Black & Grey for even more inspiration.
montage & bottom photo © Lara Rossignol
Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 5:00AM
Reader Comments (19)
Your pictures are beautiful. I am very pleased I've found you through Blog It Forward. I too tend to be very much inspired by movies, often mindless little ones that are deemed stupid chick-flicks. But I think that we can extract subtexts that are neither stupid nor pointless even from the most effervescent, seemingly silly stories.
i love this look at what inspires you! so creative, and badlands was amazing! :)
I too have found you through Blog It Forward. It's fun seeing these photos of Sissy Spacek and Martin Sheen. The images from the movie are beautiful and your photo of Sissy is fantastic. Thanks for sharing your inspiration.
Wow what a story! And your photo of Sissy is simply amazing.
Beautiful photo, you are so talented
I've never seen that movie before. I love that clip you posted! I just added it to my Netflix queue. :)
I can't get over how young and beautiful they both are!!
I LOVE Sissy Spacek. I had forgotten how hauntingly beautiful she was when she was young until I saw these photos. You rphoto of her (you got to photograph her!) is beautiful, too.
I really enjoyed your post - thank you!
I've always avoided watching that movie but will have to put it on my list. I love movies and have to say that some have been my biggest inspirations also. Right now I am going thru a lot of the old TV shows fromt he 60's that have been put on DVD. I remember a lot of them but they aren't very clear. I am revisiting all of the fashions and hair and makeup from the late 60's and early 70's, they all look so conservative today, how strange is that? I miss seeing Sissy in movies. Have been reading your blog for a while really enjoy it.
Going to add Badlands to my Netflix queue right now!
I have never seen this film, only a scene or two, but you make me want to! Beautiful Spacek photo, by the way.
Great story, lovely 'photo. Am definitely going to watch 'Badlands'.
Ah...I've missed my daily slice of pie while I was away...
I've never heard of this movie but now I'm intrigued. Sissy Spacek is on my list of favorite actresses. She looks so angelic in your photo. Love it!
I was there! She was amazing. So nice and so beautiful. What a fantastic memory. Such great pictures.
PS Have you seen her on Big Love?
I saw this movie so long ago, you have inspired me to want to see it again though my 40 year old eyes.
And what a beautiful shot of Sissy.
I have been browsing and enjoying your blog for a while now, but have never left a post until now. I especially enjoyed the snip from "Badlands", and although I have never seen that movie, I certainly see the influence on your work. The colors, the characters, the dress even the music seemed appropriate for your pieces. Thanks for sharing this and I will definitely be tracking down a copy of this movie.
I have enjoyed your posts very much and I must say you are one of the most intriguing women I have ever met! Thanks for sharing this wonderful part of you and your work. Hope to see you this weekend for the tour :)
Great film.Love your blog, it would be top of my list of inspirational!
Hi,
Wow!I am so happy to read your post! I love Badlands!