movies are the greatest art form of this generation.

not buildings, not sculptures, not painting but movies.

the art form once relegated by intellectuals as shit, is drawing the most amounts of money.  whole countries are dedicating their art money to the making of movies.  we are all going to be competing against one another in the great film festivals like cannes, sundance and toronto and great award shows like the oscars and the golden globes and mtv.  yes, box office will still be important because this is how the people will show their appreciation, but box office alone is not enough.  it has to be combined power of money and intellect that will push movie into greatness.

i have long talked about shaolin soccer.

in korea they have revolution recently and they have been surging ever since.

thailand has it's ong bak.

russia now has it's nightwatch.

another key indicator of greatness is when a local movie, for example, outsells the next harry potter or even more the next Star Wars.  I know that's a box office benchmark, but the outporing of confidence and nationalistic pride that swells after this is breath taking

Spain did it too also recently with the break out of Amenabar and Mateo Gil

Mexico did it recently with Amores Perros, Et Tu Mama Tambien and Padre Amaro.

I'm not sure about the other great markets of England, France and Italy.  But I'm mentioning more the people who just broke through.

I hope the people out there who are reading this are getting the message.

we must make better movies. it's an issue of nationalistic pride.  it's one way to be free...