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(DVD) (First Viewing, 1st Borden film)
About six months ago the mad mixture of politics and outsider cinema of [URL=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/vine/journal_view.php?journalid=29715&entryid=255575&view=public]The Mad Songs of Fernanda Hussein[/URL] was a startling experience, but I realize now
that as as original that film seemed, I see now it had obvious predecessors. Lizzie Borden?s Born Into Flames is a furious, ferocious and rather remarkable film that defies description (awkward phrases like ?socialist-feminist sci-fi fantasy? are typically employed). Taking place in a fictional future time (probably in the late 80?s, early 90?s) after the socialist ?Second American Revolution,? it depicts a diverse group of women and how the mysterious death of one of their leaders causes them to spring to political action. This is probably the most successful film I?ve ever seen that is able to depict how a myriad of political issues?gender equality, racial equality, sexual equality, class issues, etc.?are integrally interrelated and affect one another. Born in Flames is outsider cinema at its finest, political cinema at its most powerful, and it serves as a major milestone for what would eventually evolve into the American independent film scene. Needless to say, it's a rather impressive film.
August 14, 2006
