I love Larry Clark's work because of his willingness to really go out there and take serious risks. It takes courage to take on taboo subject matter, to push the envelope as he does. Of course, for doing so he's paid the price. He's been called a dirty old man, a pervert, a pimp and a pornographer. (Okay, now ask yourself when was the last time you heard “pervert” or “dirty old [anything])” applied to a woman?)

The subjects and characters in all his films and photo books seem to be youthful outcasts, outsiders and fringe dwellers, testing the boundaries of adolescence and the dangers implied in that, of crossing the line. “Once the needle goes in, it never comes out,” is a Larry Clark quote appearing in the beginning of Tulsa.

 In other words, for some, once certain boundaries are crossed, they’ve been crossed for good. There's innocence, then the loss of innocence. And there’s no going back.

It's a theme Larry Clark seems fixated on.

Some have called his work nihilistic, but I disagree. I see his work as having a moral center—even going back to Tulsa—and, yeah, those who cross the line and indulge in wild excess pay a price. This is what happens, he seems to imply, when base instincts go unchecked.

All his characters live in the moment and behave with a total disregard for consequences. We watch these characters with morbid fascination, watch as they succumb to temptation, indulge in every whim, and spiral toward disaster.

For me his work is disturbing, but always compelling. I hope he continues making films.

“Kids,” his first film, blows my mind every time I watch it. Larry Clark's organic, documentary-style approach, his ease and naturalness with untrained actors, the film's creative editing and clever use of music. For me, “Kids” is a masterpiece. Bold, unsettling stuff. Others, like Gus Van Sant, have openly admitted to being influenced by Larry Clark's intuitive approach.



Larry Clark's Filmography, so far:

Kids (1995)
Another Day in Paradise (1997)
Bully (2001)
Teenage Caveman (2002) (TV)
Ken Park (2002)
Wassup Rockers (2005)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Did you enjoy this blog?
Support this author by purchasing his work: here.

“Richard Perez has the ears of the angels—lend him yours.”
—Barry Gifford, author: WILD AT HEART, PERDITA DURANGO

“Perez's is an exciting talent and his work goes far beyond most of what is published today.”
—Henry Flesh, author: MICHAEL and the Lambda Literary Award-winner,
MASSAGE

 

“Ready-made for Russ Meyer—
assuming, that is, if Meyer was around and still at his peak.”
—Josh Alan Friedman, author: TALES OF TIMES SQUARE, WHEN SEX WAS DIRTY

Dolores & Serena:



“They were young and immoral!...”

 

---

Share |