3+1 film sets to inspire you
This summer I’ve spent many late nights watching classic movies and drinking martinis - not a bad way to battle the heat. As I kept watching I started noticing in detail the art on the walls of the homes shown, which often led me down the rabbit hall of Google, looking up interior design trends of the era, artists etc. Here are some visuals from three films I’ve watched (or re-watched) recently that really stood out to me:
Still from Indiscreet starring tarring Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman (1958)
I found it hilarious that one of the Google Reviews for Indiscreet was: “Historical interest in the sets, with genuine reminders of then widespread fascination for bad furniture and grotesque colour combinations popular in Britain in the '50s and '60s.” Love it or hate it the art wall in Ingrid Bergman’s - who is portraying a famous British actress - flat did tempt me to create a series of simple monochromatic designs where the colour stars in the framing.
Still from “Spellbound” (1945) by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman. The dream scene has the signature of Salvador Dalí
One of my favourite Hitchcock films, precisely for its surreal images and dreamlike essence, apart from the great acting. Dalí worked directly with Hitchcock on the production of the dream sequence. Fun fact: an investigation in David O. Selznick’s archives, revealed that most of the dream sequence’s content—including certain “surrealistic” elements widely ascribed to Dalí—originated with Hitchcock’s screenwriters and were a part of the script before Hitchcock brought the artist aboard the production. In any case the result challenged me to delve deeper unafraid and experiment with intuitive art.
Still from “Mon Oncle” by Jacques Tati (1958)
This movie has the shortest script but all the visuals speak so much. The minimalistic, geometric and ridiculously automated design of Villa Arpel reflects the strict and dry life its residents live. The design and functionality of the house, instead of facilitating their days, overpower them and make them “serve” the house instead. It is such an inspiring film, inspiring you to break the barriers of what the world expects from you (or your art), but also be playful and vulnerable in your art creation.
High Society (1956) starring Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and Frank Sinatra.
This movie is a pastel extravaganza and I’m here for it. My favourite space - second only to the pool- is the room (pictured in the still above) with the delicate murals. Nice reminder life is too short for white walls and if I want to get started with murals I should start with my place!
Let me know if you have any film recommendations or any favourites for art inspiration.
