In July, I’m heading to Texas for a week-long songwriting residency at Blue Rock Artist Ranch & Studio. There will be three other songwriters there, whom I haven’t met yet. Among the bits of information I do have, however, is a basic daily schedule, which mentions that 10pm onward each night will be “quiet time.” Being a night owl, I’ve started thinking about what I could do in those hours to be productive in my solitude. I’ve also been thinking about how afraid I am of arriving there, only to be stuck each day, looking at a blank page for hours on end, inspiration out of reach, time slipping away inexorably.
Jun 30, 2023·edited Jun 30, 2023Liked by Hrishikesh Hirway
Eternal Sunshine is my favorite movie of all time, thanks for the other two recommendations! I just watched Past Lives which has a small reference to the movie. It has similar themes, I've been thinking about it the last few days. It's newer so I doubt you'll be able to stream it from your residency but others that might work are The Fall (2006), Aftersun (2022), Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019), and The Worst Person in the World (2021).
"Still Walking" by Kore-eda is the first one that comes to mind. A beautiful and painful movie about grief and the difficult nature of family relationships. I think there's some similarities in your music and Kore-Eda's films, there's a deeply thoughtful and honest core that's hard to describe but easy to feel. I'd say his other movies, especially Shoplifters also fit in this description too, but Still Walking has stayed close to me for a long time.
Tarsem's The Fall (2006) is my all-time favourite film and perfectly fits the category of "achingly beautiful." I saw it as a teenager and it had a profound impact on me.
More well-known, but Amélie (2001) also hits a lot of the same chords for me.
And this might be a bit more "hauntingly beautiful": Bladerunner 2049 (2017).
Moonlight (2016)!
Not a more gorgeous movie ever made, in my opinion!
The 1990s Alfonso Cuaron Little Princess
Wings of Desire, the 1987 version by Wim Wenders.
Eternal Sunshine is my favorite movie of all time, thanks for the other two recommendations! I just watched Past Lives which has a small reference to the movie. It has similar themes, I've been thinking about it the last few days. It's newer so I doubt you'll be able to stream it from your residency but others that might work are The Fall (2006), Aftersun (2022), Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019), and The Worst Person in the World (2021).
The Piano (1993), and The English Patient (1996).
Harold and Maude 🥲
"Still Walking" by Kore-eda is the first one that comes to mind. A beautiful and painful movie about grief and the difficult nature of family relationships. I think there's some similarities in your music and Kore-Eda's films, there's a deeply thoughtful and honest core that's hard to describe but easy to feel. I'd say his other movies, especially Shoplifters also fit in this description too, but Still Walking has stayed close to me for a long time.
It's Paris, Texas for me.
Lost in Translation. I will spend the rest of my life wondering what he whispers in her ear at the end.
Nine Days (2020) is so achingly beautiful.
Also, not a film but a TV series: Station Eleven was one of the most gorgeous and emotional series I've watched in a long long time.
Beau Travail by Claire Denis
Aftersun if you haven't seen it yet!
After Yang sat with me for a long time.
Aftersun 🥲
Tarsem's The Fall (2006) is my all-time favourite film and perfectly fits the category of "achingly beautiful." I saw it as a teenager and it had a profound impact on me.
More well-known, but Amélie (2001) also hits a lot of the same chords for me.
And this might be a bit more "hauntingly beautiful": Bladerunner 2049 (2017).
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) ❤️
A River Runs Through It - beautiful words, acting and Montana scenery. Always makes me cry at the end “I am haunted by waters.”