Realism on the bloodiest of sets

[York Minster]

My proposal for a corrective art: True Realism Theatre

Now I know there are films that push the boundaries of realism. For instance the movie 9 songs features real actors (not porn stars) in full unsimulated sexual scenes. And there are similar films such as Intimacy, Shortbus, and Ken Park. Few movies are able to address childhood sexuality these days, but it was done in the more liberal 1970s. Pretty Baby being a famous example. And there is also In Yer Face realism plays in the UK, of which I'm uncertain exactly how far they go.

But I'm certain that none are "true" realism; plays that never pretend sexual or violent scenes, but always show them literally in real time. This means portraying even the most violent scenes, such as an amputation scene, and even death scenes in real terms. Such a play could be a corrective to the hyperreality we all live in. Even those of us fully aware of that reality (looking in whatevermans direction) still are often very subjectively and emotionally, not to mention physically and economically tied to that reality. How can we really escape and become free? We can read books, sure, but they can only go so far into truly "feeling" humanity. If we could view life in all it's glory and foulness, all it's excitement and dullness on stage, perhaps we could all gain new emotional insight?

I'm thinking it's never been done, certainly not in 2010. But could it be done? Yes, you'd have to have actors and actresses willing to sacrifice for their art. And while many would call that "sick", I think that there would be enough dedicated to the form to make it work. Most of us live in a sterilized world, where we hide death from children, and try to keep any small speck of dirt from touching us. Most of us live very close in proximity to one another, yet the divisions between us are huge. The world has become very niche. Perhaps this art form could help correct that for some. Imagine if they plays did exist. Would you go? Do you think you could get something from it that you couldn't get from regular stilted theatre?

I'm guessing some who read this will be thinking "there goes FoF again, being a crazy shit". But I'm serious about this as an idea, and am wondering what people reactions to it are, even it if it is far fetched in the world we currently live in.

[Patrick Bateman]

Erm, what would be the point? 9/11 was, as Stockhausen suggested, a perfect work of art, albeit a quite extreme form of Situationism.

[York Minster]

Erm, what would be the point? 9/11 was, as Stockhausen suggested, a perfect work of art, albeit a quite extreme form of Situationism.

I do believe that bringing crisis to the majority of Americans would have a similar effect to the realism plays. However, 911 did not fulfill this. It was isolated, and the flags flying on every passing car lasted until about July 2002. It simply did not hit home for enough people. And already there are those who are around 13 or under who don't remember it as a live event. Perhaps a virus that spread quickly through every major city would cause the size of crisis needed to shake people loose from the prevailing trends of life.

[skyhigh]

Firth you're an odd little man.

[York Minster]

Firth you're an odd little man.

I'll take the odd, but if you've been paying attention, I'm none too small

[skyhigh]

i know ur on the large side but u dont look too tall.

[York Minster]

i know ur on the large side but u dont look too tall.

I'm 6'5"

[Patrick Bateman]

So the sight of Chloe Sevigny gobbling her director on camera is going to break through the fourth wall and everybody will be seeing whateverman42's lizards? If I want to be shocked out of apathy or ennui, with the click of a button I can watch some goat porn or a beheading. If I really want to be shocked I can watch England's defending against Germany yesterday. However these things just end up making me more apathetic and listless; the lizards run the world, whatcha gonna do?

And to any aspiring actresses who I might fancy, don't bother taking your clothes off in some arthouse movie, just go straight into porn. The camera angles are far better and you'll probably become more famous anyway.

[glennjridge]

ever see the movie "the running man" with arnold swartzenegger? that was such an awesome movie and I think the idea of televising in a reality show letting people who were already going to be executed for crimes at least had a shot at freedom after being stalked by colorful characters who try to do them in.

if they escape or kill the assasins they have the death sentence revoked, and can spend life in prison.
sadly, that kind of awesome show probably wont happen.

[whateverman42]

...and everybody will be seeing whateverman42's lizards?

I hate reputations.

The Running Man was a horrible, horrible piece of cheese. It was not 'awesome'.

Resume whatever this thread was about.

[redsock]

ever see the movie "the running man" with arnold swartzenegger? that was such an awesome movie and I think the idea of televising in a reality show letting people who were already going to be executed for crimes at least had a shot at freedom after being stalked by colorful characters who try to do them in.

if they escape or kill the assasins they have the death sentence revoked, and can spend life in prison.
sadly, that kind of awesome show probably wont happen.

Big Brother would certainly be made watchable if at the start of the series they were told that one of them would be shot dead indiscriminately at some point in the show ...
You could even have a lottery beforehand to pick someone to do it, all money made could be forwarded to employ someone with some vision to make decent programmes again and end shite shows like that once and for all ....