This regular feature puts original films in the ring against their remakes and lets them slug it out over 5 rounds. Feel free to disagree and leave your comments at the end.
As I explained in the introduction to cinematheque, I feel that film feeds itself. Cross pollination should occur between cinematic regions for it to develop and there’s nothing wrong with directors wearing influences firmly on their sleeves. However there is a big difference between dining on new ideas and eating your own tail. Authenticity is a subject to be debated in-depth and at a future moment. For now let’s just have a little fun.
Remakes are part of silver screen heritage, the classic 39 Steps a prime example, reaching audiences in 1935, 59 and 78. Theatre gives us numerous productions of the same story so why should cinema not chronicle its tales with multiple interpretations? Is the stage more worthy than the screen? What is not up for discussion is the fact that remakes divide opinion like politics. Certain films hold specific meaning with fans and to tamper with them can only be met with cries of blasphemy. But should we always be so precious?
In this new regular feature I plan to hold a versus match between an original production and its remake. Has an opportunistic director bled the spirit from a sacred cow or blown life into it? In this first instance let’s bring out the big guns and pit Infernal Affairs against The Departed.
Continue reading ‘Red Corner/Blue Corner – Infernal Affairs v The Departed’