I liked this short book. I thought the writer gave out several pieces of good advice and ruminations about screenwritng, cinema, and making films. It got me into the films of Luis Bunuel in a big way. I saw Belle de Jour, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, and That Obscure Object of Desire. I didn't see Phantom of Liberty because I couldn't get the DVD. It was too expensive on amazon.com. I wish it would be released on Criterion collection at a more affordable price. The films are great works of art. Bunuel was a truly great artist. I watched a documentary about Bunuel that came along with one of the other DVDs. It talked about Bunuel's youth, his time in Mexico, and his return with the great films he made in France in the 70s.
One of Carriere's anecdotes is about Africans who closed their eyes when a movie played so their souls wouldn't escape while watching. The Cinema hasn't been around for that long and it's affects on people are known and some not known.
Carriere talks about his famous meeting with Bunuel who asked him if he drank wine when they met. Carriere admitted that he did and their friendship began. It lasted through many films and is truly one of the best collaborations between a writer and director in film history. When the French New Wave was cresting and many of the directors associated with that movement were not making films, Bunuel and Carriere were making legendary pictures. Discreet Charm won an Oscar for best Foreign Language film, and his other films are equally good if not a little less better.
Belle de Jour is worth a look. It stars Catherine Denueve. I watched it for a second time and was really taken in with it's story, characters, and settings. Discreet Charm may be the Bunuel/Carreire duo's best film. At least it's its most recognized. And the two later films; That Obscure Object of Desire and Phantom of Liberty are excellent films that further Bunuel and Carriere's satirical wit in film form.
The book wasn't cheap, but I guess you have to pay for quality. A good read. .
