Sean Martin's Blog, page 8
April 28, 2015
Solaris in Manchester 30.04.15.
I'm introducing Tarkovsky's Solaris at the Anthony Burgess Foundation in Manchester on Thursday. The film starts at 1800, and there will be a Q&A afterwards, led by yours truly.
The film is free. (Although the bar isn't.)
More info here.
April 15, 2015
On the joys of physical books
Although I read a lot of fiction on my e-reader (and use it a lot when travelling), the arrival earlier this week of a copy of David Vann's new novel reminded me what's so special about actual books. I ordered a US edition of Aquarium, published by Atlantic Monthly Press. Everything about it is nicer than the UK edition - better paper, coloured ink, nicer font, and also.... colour photos of fish. I don't know if David Vann is going down the WG Sebald route here (Max's books contain photos), but they're certainly a nice touch.
March 30, 2015
Tarkovsky's Solaris in Manchester 30.04.15
I'll be introducing Tarkovsky's Solaris in Manchester on 30 April. There will also be a QA afterwards, if anyone is in a fit state to ask questions. (When I first saw the film, I certainly wasn't. I remember coming out of the NFT and staring into the Thames for 10 minutes.) More details can be found on this link:
http://thescienceandentertainmentlab.com/pgp-film-2015/
November 19, 2014
Folie à Deux - released today on IndieFlix
The feature-length drama I co-wrote, produced and directed, Folie à Deux, is released today on IndieFlix. This is a better quality version of the film than previous online releases, and this is the one you should watch. Go here to watch the trailer and the film, or cut and paste this link into your browser:
https://indieflix.com/indie-films/folie-a-deux-37791/
Photo: David Hamnett.
October 29, 2014
A Boat Retold Screens in Stornoway @ Faclan
A Boat Retold screens in Stornoway on 30 October at 1930 as part of Faclan, the Hebridean Book Festival. The film opens an evening with Ian Stephen, whose first novel, A Book of Death and Fish, has just been published. He will be in conversation with one of the film's other stars, the writer Robert Macfarlane. For more details, and to book a ticket, go here:
http://www.faclan.org/events/a-book-of-death-and-fish/
October 23, 2014
Charlie Chaplin Lived Here - Please help back this short film
A quick reminder to say we're still looking for backers to help us complete Charlie Chaplin Lived Here, a short film about Chaplin's London, shot in 1966 by Bill Douglas.
October 10, 2014
The Yezidis & Gnosticism in Islam: Aeon Byte Gnostic Radio
I'm on Aeon Byte Gnostic Radio again, discussing the Yezidis with Miguel Conner.
September 23, 2014
Charlie Chaplin's London - Funding Campaign Launched
I'm cross-posting this from the filmmaking blog, just in case there are any Chaplin fans reading this! We want to raise a modest amount of cash to complete a short film about Charlie Chaplin's London, shot by legendary Scottish auteur Bill Douglas. More info on the IndieGoGo link. Please chip in if you can. Thanks.
August 26, 2014
On this day in 1666...
Today is one of my favourite alchemical anniversaries. John Frederick Helvetius takes up the story. The action takes place in The Hague, in late 1666:
"A little after this, he also asked me, whether I had not another Room, the Windows of which were not to the Street-side; I presently brought this Phaenix, or Bird most rare to be seen in this Land, into my best furnished Chamber; yet he, at his Entrance (as in the manner of Hollanders is, in their Countryes) did not shake off his Shoes, which were dropping wet with Snow. I indeed, at that very time, thus thought: perhaps he will provide, or hath in readiness some Treasure for me; but he dashed my hope all to pieces. For he immediately asked of me a piece of the best Gold-mony; and in the mean while layed off his Cloak, and Country Coat; also he opened his Bosom, and under his Shirt he wore in green Silk, five great Golden Pendants, round, filling up the magnitude of the Interior Space or an Orb of Tin. Where, in comparing these, in respect of Colour and Flexibility, the difference between his Gold, and mine, was exceedingly great. On these Pendants he had inscribed with an Iron Instrument, the following Words, which, at my request, he gave leave that I should coppy out.
The form of the Pendants, and words engraven thereon, are as follows.
I. Amen. Holy , Holy, Holy, is the Lord our God, for all things are full of his Power. Leo: Libra.
II. The wonderfull wonder-working wisdom of Jehovah in the Catholick Book of Nature. Made the 26 day Aug. 1666.
III. [Sun. Mercury. Moon] The wonderfull God, Nature, and the Spagyrick Art, make nothing in vain.
IV. Sacred, Holy, Spirit, Hallelujha, Hallelujha. Away Devil, Speak not of God without Light, Amen.
V. The Eternal, Invisible, only wise, Best of all, and omnipotent God of Gods; Holy, Holy, Holy, Governour and Conserver deservedly ought to be praysed.
Moreover, when I, affected with admiration, said to him; My Master, I pray tell me, where had you this greatest Science of the whole World?"
Where indeed.
June 8, 2014
Tarkovsky and eastern philosophy
My essay on Tarkovsky and eastern philosophy has just been published - in Russian only, I'm afraid! I hope it will appear in English at some point. The book is the proceedings of the Tarkovsky conference held in Ivanovo last June.
