Irma Vep

1996, Olivier Assayas, starring Maggie Chung, with Jean-Pierre Leaud
Long handeheld takes, almost plan sequences
constant movement, default is a portrait framing
usually telephoto lens, presumably for ease in handheld
almost plan-sequences, floating around multiple characters on occassion
when cutting does come it's largely continuity, camera always moving though
is taking us into the time/ space of each character
film about hypocrisy, understanding others, their dreams, and moviemaking
conclusion in Cheung's fantasies that things can only work out in a movie
so the movie becomes life, in that very impressive sequence
at once funny; hillarious ending, but also with ballast from understated performances
challenges viewer to enter into its time of parts not wrapped up, things not finished
floating around, creates a wonderful panaroma
inserts some truly stunning shots, often involving backlighting, and effects such as the rain at night; simply, a fine eye
very very impressive, in a distinctive style