Adam Curtis

In the current forum climate of potential loss of human rights and imminent global death, I feel the urge to open a discussion about Adam Curtis.

Please visit rewtube.com. It's a fantastic resource of most of Curtis' documentaries.

His documentaries can be best summed up as exposing the domination and oppression inherent in every day life. Century of the Self focuses on the influence of Freud and his offspring, the Power of Nightmares is about the onset of fundamentalism, and the Trap, most poignantly, is about the myth of individual freedom.

I'd start with Century of the Self.

There must be some here who know about Mr. Curtis. So what do you think?

He's a triad scum and a mad citrus.

Joy Division were never the same without him

He's very, very good.
Don't forget The Mayfair Set about Tiny Rowland, James Goldsmith, David Stirling (the founder of the SAS) and the other one whose name I can't remember.

I am custard

Power of Nightmares was jaw-droppingly good.

this is the second hearty recomendation for this dude's films i've come across this week. hmmm. shall investigate further shortly.

he's involved with Brooker's newswipe in some way

A bored, sunday evening bump. I'm working my way through Pandora's Box at the moment (ah ah ah). I've now watched pretty much everything he's done. I'm getting impatient for him to make a new series.

However, it has become clear to me that he's a bit of a disaster merchant, who revels in pointing out the flaws in british/world politics and society. It's useful for grounding yourself in the mindset of the cynic I suppose.

he's involved in that punchdrunk/damon albarn/manchester art festival 'installation' piece, looks dope. sold out.

i see.

I saw damon albarn on some tricked up cruiser on portobello road on friday.

He was keepin' his head down trying to avoid catching anyone's attention, to the extent that he nearly crashed into a few people (it was fairly busy and he was riding on the pavement).

If you're reading this, pull your bloody trousers up! Just because you're the lead singer of blur doesn't mean you can get away with showing your stripy boxers to the world!

I also saw him and family (or friend and child?) in the Annette Messager/Man-in-bear-costume-who's-taken-a-fancy-to-curating show(s) in the hayward earlier this year.

he seems to be about a bit at the moment - all the reunion stuff. i can't imagine what his bike looks like. africa express damon stuff is worth a look.

Just thought I'd re-open this..

Recently re-watched The Trap and can't recommend it more highly. I'm surprised something like it was made. I'm not surprised that very few people saw it.

YouTube - The Trap - Adam Curtis documentary - BBC

His blog on the BBC website. Interesting piece about Yemen.

Second part of the new series, All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace, is on tonight.

And the first part is on iplayer http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011k45f.Basically, Ayn Rand caused the recent financial problems.

looking forward to it immensely. 1st part was amazing.

i watched part 1 this morning, fascinating

I look forward to everything he does.

He so eloquently summates topics of huge scope it almost beggars belief.

I recognise the voice. Is he the narrator?

Yes, he is.

It's all a conspiracy!!! NWO!

I like Adam Curtis. I consider him to be more of a video essayist rather than a documentary maker, but I always enjoy his work.

I'm reading the Fountainhead atm. It's shit.

I look forward to everything he does.

He so eloquently summates topics of huge scope it almost beggars belief.

Feynman of the TV world.

I loved the way he continuously referenced back to previous points to build his case, Roark and Clinton, collective ping pong and global markets, silicon valleys birth from the adoption of objectivitism and it's fight with those wishing to capitalise on the value of knowledge.

the timing of the documentary is perfect really.

Anyone else watched Bitter Lake, (BBC iPlayer only)?

Spoiler alert.

It seemed easier to follow,
(I'm never certain I have compeletly understood his messages),
than his previous stuff,
perhaps the longer runtime meant he didn't have the normal avalanche of words to get through in not enough time.
Didn't know, nor had bothered to check, the the previous history of the British Army in Helmand Province.

We know one local Afghan family, (kids used to share a school form).
I'll let them know about it,
and,
pass on their comments.