[wideawake]

Before the 'Hollyweird' brigade comes around...this film, and Araki in general, are about as far away from Hollywood as you can get.

Except of course, that he went to USC film school like many Hollywood directors, was a music and film journalist for LA Weekly, films at LA studios used by Hollywood directors, has his films distributed by TriMark pictures and casts Hollywood B-actors like Rose McGowan, Nicky Katt, Christina Applegate, Ryan Phillippe, etc.

His films are not mainstream blockbusters, obviously. But he is as purebred a product of Hollywood film culture as anyone.

BTW, let me just state that the breadth of your film knowledge continues to impress. I wanted to ask you on the last thread - what's your favorite Ozu?

[Borges]

Well you have to go to film school somewhere! :-) You could say that anyone in America who does is a product of the 'Hollywood culture' (whatever that is) And actors are actors. I meant he produces his films independently. I don't see a Big Studio wanting anything to do with this.

As for Ozu, I've only seen 'Tokyo Story' and both versions of Floating Weeds. All great. I want to check out the silent films like 'I was Born But...'