Staff Picks #2: Winter Watches
This month, we have been working hard to follow-up our previous watchlist of Staff Discoveries at FACETS. To continue our new tradition of our monthly Staff Picks, we’re including 10 films from staff members. This time, these picks come from the Customer Service Team and our chosen theme for this month is: “Films that take place during the winter season.” Each employee from the Customer Service department has reflected on experiences they have had with winter season films and each has chosen one of their favorites. We hope this list will comfort you during the holiday season, and that these Staff Picks will get you talking about your own favorite winter season films.
Our mission is to create platforms for thought-provoking films, important conversations, and community-driven education. With that, we’ve redesigned the Cafe lounging area to inspire you to open up to your cinematic curiosities. This second edition of our series can serve as a tool for you to discover new winter cinema, and also build discussion between customers and staff about film. As a cinematic resource for the community, we feel obligated to show off our staff in a way that creates conversation. With the list, we have curated our staff and their responses, so continue reading to get acquainted with the FACETS Customer Service department and their respective film tastes.
BLAST OF SILENCE (1961)
DIRECTED BY ALLEN BARON
Perry Ruhland is a customer service representative who started in September 2021. His winter film pick is Blast of Silence directed by Allen Baron. The film takes place during Christmas in New York City where a hitman comes to claim a kill. Ruhland calls Blast of Silence, “a true miracle,” on account of it being a no-budget slice of life film noir. He describes the film as following a lonely hitman from Cleveland as he prepares for a hit in a miserable Christmastime in New York. What makes this film a winter favorite according to Ruhland is that there are scenes of slinking through frigid streets, frosted storefronts, and festive reunions. These areas create a fantastic winter atmosphere that extends to this lonely hitman and the melancholy one can feel when going through seasonal affective disorder.
Ruhland also calls Blast of Silence, “the most accurate Christmas movie,” which implies this loneliness and melancholy often takes a front seat in many during the winter months. The atmosphere created by the film’s mise-en-scene surely accounts for the accuracy felt by Ruhland when watching this winter favorite.
If any of this interests you, rent Blast of Silence at FACETS.
RUNAWAY TRAIN (1985)
DIRECTED BY ANDREI KONCHALOVSKY
Raphael Martinez is a customer service representative who started in September 2021. Their winter film pick is Runaway Train. The film is directed by Andrei Konchalovsky who was an Andrei Tarkovsky collaborator early on in his career. There are a number of reasons Martinez has chosen this film as their winter watch. First, the screenplay is written by the legendary director Akira Kurosawa, who is a gifted writer as well as a director. Next, Martinez calls Konchalovsky’s directing “meticulous” and says, “this film might be one of the best action thrillers ever made.”
The premise for the film is simple: two prisoners escape an Alaskan jail and accidentally end up on an out of control train. Even with a simple premise, Martinez calls the execution breathtaking and says, “No matter how many times I watch this film I still find myself with my jaw dropped wondering, ‘How the hell did they even film?!’” Clearly this is a winter watch that will leave viewers at the edge of their seats, Martinez makes that clear with how shocked they are with the production of it. According to Martinez, this is an endlessly suspenseful film that ups the stakes at every bend and is a perfect lazy, winter holiday afternoon watch. With their high praise, we at FACETS hope you find Runaway Train as exciting as we do.
If you are looking for a winter film with high stakes, rent Runaway Train at FACETS.
SHEITAN (2006)
DIRECTED BY KIM CHAPIRON
John McDevitt has worked as a Customer Service Representative for FACETS for nearly 4 years. McDevitt has chosen Sheitan directed by Kim Chapiron, which is a part of the New French Extremity movement. Their choice is the feature film debut of Chapiron of the artist collective Kourtrajmé. McDevitt calls the film, “a quintessential folk horror freakout and one of my favorite films of the New French Extremity.”
McDevitt describes the plot as a trio of debaucherous young men in Paris following an alluring stranger to her home in the country all while using the backdrop of the holidays. Vincent Cassell plays the house caretaker, who McDevitt describes as “a towering brute whose ear-to-ear grin offers an uncomfortable mix of infectious joy and aggressive creepery.” They continue their praise of the film by proclaiming, “This manic, brain-lashing shocker, full of criminal behavior, queasy violence, and gnarly dollmaking, will make you chuckle and squirm, often at the same time, and it all leads to a sickening conclusion on Christmas Day!”
If you want to know more about New French Extremity, rent Sheitan at FACETS.
WOMAN IS THE FUTURE OF MAN (2004)
DIRECTED BY HONG SANG-SOO
Zero Broucek has been working as a customer service representative at FACETS for 3 months. They have chosen Woman is the Future of Man directed by Hong Sang-Soo as their staff pick. Broucek explains the film, saying: “The work of prolific, South Korean director, Hong Sang-Soo doesn’t exactly inspire holiday cheer, but if you’re looking for a film that reflects the metaphysical alienation and bittersweet melancholy that only a Chicago winter can deliver, look no further than Woman is the Future of Man (2004).”
Broucek continues, “It’s a serene, soju-fueled story about drinking, flirting and failing: two long-time friends reunite as first snow falls over Seoul, then they hang out with the woman they shared an affair with long ago. Hong’s signature style of long, static takes and graceful pacing, paired with the three leads’ naturalism, make for a masterful exploration of psychic bruises and human behavior. Even more compelling is the fact that Hong devised his working script while filming, which blows my mind to this day.”
Rent Woman is the Future of Man now at FACETS.
LIFE ITSELF (2014)
DIRECTED BY STEVE JAMES
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Sam Lounsbury has been working at FACETS for three years but started as a volunteer six years ago. The film they have chosen is Life Itself directed by Steve James, which is about the life of famous film critic Roger Ebert and their life and legacy. The film shows the incredibly engaging life of Ebert, the ups and downs of an exciting life. It goes from his renowned film criticism to his work with Gene Siskel and beyond.
The reason Lounsbury chose the film was due to an experience with it at FACETS. Lounsbury had a winter experience with the film, which made it a special experience and film for them. They write, “During a snowed-out morning, I asked a co-worker at FACETS if they’ve ever seen Life Itself, they said no. We then watched the first forty-seven minutes of the movie before the DVD started skipping. I haven’t been that vulnerable with another human being since.”
Rent Life Itself now at FACETS.
FARGO (1996)
DIRECTED BY JOEL AND ETHAN COHEN
Madisen Dempsey has worked for FACETS for about a year. Dempsey has chosen Fargo directed by Joel and Ethan Cohen as her staff pick. Her explanation is as follows: “I’m a hometown girl that loves suspense, what can I say! Growing up in Minnesota with roots in North Dakota, the thrill of a mystery close to home is too strong a siren’s song to deny. From the still cold of the north to the chilling quiet of a small town, jump into the (almost) reality of the great north with me. Maybe it will feel like going home to you, too.”
Fargo is a dark comedy and crime film that follows Marge Gunderson (Frances Mcdormand), a pregnant police chief in Minnesota, who investigates a homicide that seems to be tied to a car salesman (William H Macy). Gunderson examines crimes in the frozen north Midwest and the expressionless style of the film is coupled with the Minnesota landscape. The humor combines with a morality tale that sees Jerry Lundegaard’s (William H Macy) crimes solved by Gunderson.
Rent Fargo now at FACETS.
GROUNDHOG DAY (1993)
DIRECTED BY HAROLD RAMIS
Fred Swanson has worked for FACETS for over twenty years. His pick is the winter classic Groundhog Day directed by Harold Ramis. Swanson explains, “Set in deepest winter on that day we look forward to spring, I am very fond of Groundhog Day‘s humor and optimism. We all need to do some days over again and get them right.”
Groundhog Day is a fantasy comedy film that looks at both the philosophical ideas behind a time loop, and the comedic situations that occur because of it. News Reporter Phil Connors claims that a blizzard will not hit western Pennsylvania. He travels with his producer Rita Hanson and cameraman Larry to Punxsutawney. Connors is extremely critical of this area, and he is quite obnoxious as a character, however there is switch in his character after he makes some realizations. The film questions the nature of Phil Connors and how he is stuck in a time loop, reliving the same day over and over again. During these days, Connors really thinks about his existence and fights to win over Rita’s affection.
Rent Groundhog Day at FACETS.
BAH HUMDUCK! A LOONEY TUNES CHRISTMAS (2006)
DIRECTED BY IVAN REITMAN
Isaiah Lesley has worked for FACETS for the past three months. He has chosen Bah Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas directed by Ivan Reitman as his winter watch. Lesley explains his choice: “welllll— who doesn’t love looney tunes… Had to pick this for the culture!”
As a Holiday film, Bah Humduck! deals with Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and turns it into a slapstick animation with Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and other notable Looney Tunes franchise characters. Daffy, who plays the Ebenezer Scrooge character, demands that Porky and his other employees at his Lucky Duck Superstore (a store like Walmart or Costco) work on Christmas Day. The film follows Daffy as he gets visits from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. All of these characters cause Daffy to see the error in his ways and how he will end up if he doesn’t treat his employees with respect.
If you want to see a classic Christmas story turned into an animated extravaganza, rent Bah Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas (2006) at FACETS.
TANGERINE (2015)
DIRECTED BY SEAN BAKER
Nat Wood has worked at FACETS since September, but has interned here since January. Their selection for staff picks is Tangerine directed by Sean Baker. Wood says, “I love this film because it’s a very unlikely comedy that happens to take place on Christmas Eve. With it being set in LA (so no snow) and a very unorthodox plot, makes this a film that, while tackling very intense subject matter, manages to pull through with heartwarming moments.”
Tangerine is about trans sexworker Sin-Dee-Rella who is just released from an almost month long prison sentence. She is told by a friend that her boyfriend has been cheating on her on Christmas Eve, this causes her to journey to find her boyfriend and express her frustration to him. The sex workers in the film were actually sex workers turned actors, Baker, the film’s director, met the two leads at a Los Angles LGBT center. As Wood said, this film wonderfully tackles important subject matter such as sex work and LGBTQ+ experiences.
If interested in a film shot on three iPhone 5s smartphones, rent Tangerine at FACETS.
IDA (2013)
DIRECTED BY PAWEL PAWLIKOWSKI
Audrey Gladson has worked at FACETS for 2 months. Gladson has chosen Ida directed by Pawel Pawlikowski as her winter watch. She explains, “Gripping from start to finish, this was my first viewing of the work of Polish filmmaker Pawl Pawlikowski.” Pawlikowski is a filmmaker who began working in film through his documentary work in England. He left Poland when he was 14, but returned to make Ida and later Cold War. Gladson continues, “Stunningly shot and containing one of my favorite acting performances of all time by Agata Kulesza (Wanda Gruz).” The character Wanda Gruz is a low-level civil servant who was once the great “Red Wanda” who sentenced countrymen to their death. Wanda is a character in direct contrast to Anna, the Catholic nun (Agata Trzebuchowska).
Gladson then speaks on the film and its themes, “This film dives into Polish identity, female identity, the haunting nature of family trauma, and the endless traumatic effects of persecution and war.” The plot of the film revolves around Anna, a Catholic nun about to take her vows, who goes on a personal journey to unlock her identity and what happened to her family. She goes on this journey with her aunt Wanda Gruz and discovers a lot about herself. Ida has an atmosphere of subjugation tied to Communist Poland. Gladson leaves us with a question: “One to watch on a cold night when you are looking to have many deep thoughts, but what is a better time than winter to look inward?”
Rent the stunning Ida at FACETS.
While visiting the FACETS building make sure to check out the Staff Picks shelf and grab a copy of these winter watches. Make some time to converse with old friends, meet some new people at the shop, or use the space to just relax and enjoy the atmosphere. With the holidays coming up, don’t be afraid to come to the Cafe and experience the edge of cinema through our staff’s winter season film selection. Take some time for yourself, come out from the chilly outdoors, and see what our Customer Service team has to say about their winter film experiences and choices. And if you haven’t seen our previous Staff Picks list, it’s worth checking it out!
Christian Mietus is an Editorial Assistant Intern at FACETS. He is a Senior working towards a B.A in EnglishGeneral Writing (Creative and Professional) at Lewis University with minors in Film Studies and Russian Language and Culture. In 2019, his poetry was published in both the WINDOWS fine arts magazine and in the City Brink literary magazine. In May 2019, his collaborative project, “Assimilation through Sound” was chosen for the Stephany Schlachter Award at Lewis University. Christian is a film lover, some of his favorite filmmakers are Andrei Tarkovsky, Andrzej Wajda, and Krzysztof Kieslowski.
Ān Kassel is an Media Production Assistant Intern at FACETS. They received their BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago where they concentrated on Film, Screenwriting, VR, and Performance Art. They were the director, producer, and screenwriter for She Became Visible that screened in the FVNMAS Festival 2021. Currently, their work advocates for new kinds of representation of East Asian transracial adoptees and explores queer and East Asian intersections.