IFC Films recently released the trailer for Filth and Wisdom, “directed” by “Madonna”. It began as a short film and ended up not quite a feature at 80 minutes long. It will get a limited US release October 17th.
A Ukrainian immigrant, A.K. (Eugene Hutz), finances his dreams of ‘trans-continental superstardom’ with his band, Gogol Bordello, by turning tricks as a role-playing cross dresser. As A.K. literally whips the privileged of London into shape, he also secretly pines for the object of his affection, Holly (Holly Weston), an aspiring ballerina looking for her big break while moonlighting as a slippery stripper. Meanwhile, Juliette (Vicky Mclure) steals medicine from her pharmaceutical job in hopes of quenching her dreams of helping Africa’s youth. [Apple]
Since premiering in Berlin in February, it’s been racking up the kind of unimaginative reviews you’d expect for Madonna movie:
“Madonna would do well to hang on to her day job” -Telegraph. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian wrote “Well, it had to happen. Madonna has been a terrible actor in many, many films and now… she has graduated to being a terrible director.” Jonathan Romney of Screen International called the film “good-humoured, averagely average vanity project” and “a cheap and cheerful comedy,” adding that “Madonna simply cannot direct actors.”
I’m surprised no one went for the “it’s better than stealing babies” angle.
She sings! She acts! She’s Jewish! She’s English! She raps about Pilates! And now… she directs movies.
Her movie career did not amount to much, but Madonna will hope for better luck behind the camera when her directing debut makes its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival in February. [Reuters/Hollywood Reporter]
Dude, keep in mind that’s like the mainstreamest of mainstream news outlets basically saying her movies sucked. That’s like AVN saying you have ugly tits (I guess? - sorry, the only way I can understand things is by relating them to porn). Don’t worry, Esther, my dad said I’d never amount to much too, and look at me now! I write stuff on THE INTERNET! Suck it, universe.
"Filth and Wisdom," which has been described as a low-budget music-based comedy, stars Richard E. Grant, Stephen Graham ("Gangs of New York") and Eugene Hutz, the Ukrainian frontman for gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello.
Sure, I’ve never heard of him either, but rest assured gypsy punk bands are like the new coolest thing and everyone’s going to be into them soon enough. It’s gonna be like Crunk and The Macarena times ten, bro, you just don’t know it yet.
