NICHOLAS ROEG WALKABOUT, THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH, PERFORMANCE, DON’T LOOK NOW
To many, the term “art film” conjures images of laughably self-serious abstractionism and intentionally nonsensical structure. No one would argue that Nicholas Roeg, with his jump cuts, dissolves and zooms, isn’t making art films. But only a dedicated Philistine would find them less than enjoyable. His films The Man Who Fell to Earth, Don’t Look Now and Walkabout may feel fractured and disjointed. They’re supposed to. But they’re also undeniably compelling. They work as science fiction, as horror and as coming of age tales. Nicholas Roeg has made films that may be challenging but they are also magnetically watchable.
Nice little encapsulation of the man, David. Thank you!
Check out Bad Timing if you want to see what I think is the apex of his fractured editing style. Breathtaking, audacious and very sensuous.
Thanks! I’ve never seen Bad Timing but I hope to check it out soon.
– David