Peter Greenaway: "I Plan to Kill Myself at 80"

Prestidigitweeze · 11-16-2012, 08:38 AM

A saddening commentary on Greenaway, his medium and his milieu:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/...o-kill-himself

Even Greenaway's make-believe plans for suicide, like the truer ones of certain of his characters, have the sound of an obsession rendered numerological.

Quexos · 11-17-2012, 06:17 AM

I'm not sure it's worth killing yourself at such an advanced age, when you hit 80 you just relax and wait for it because it will come soon enough anyways.

PainMike · 11-17-2012, 06:41 AM

Seen Greenaway, forced by wife; wine and metaphora. I guess his funeral shall be high society version of M*A*S*H 'Suicide is Painless' scene.
Yet he represents the other side of the wheel-running culture.

Tony Richards · 11-17-2012, 11:49 AM

By the time Greenaway hits 80, he might well remember that he wants to kill someone ... but simply not remember who.

cassidym · 11-17-2012, 04:41 PM

When I die, I want to go in my sleep like my grandfather and not yelling and screaming like the passengers in his car.

cromag · 11-17-2012, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassidym

When I die, I want to go in my sleep like my grandfather and not yelling and screaming like the passengers in his car.

That story is a staple in our family, except in our version it's a bus not a car.

(And, in reality, neither of my grandfathers took anyone with them.)

cassidym · 11-18-2012, 08:16 AM

In fact, neither did mine but the line does get a giggle.

FizzyWater · 11-18-2012, 10:47 PM

Quote:

He argues that the world is too full and it belongs to the young. "I can't think of anyone who has done anything remotely useful after the age of 80. One or two late prints by Picasso. One or two late paintings by Titian. Now you might say, 'Well, I've got this grandfather who's a beautiful old gentleman and rocks the cradle.' But really, is he not just taking up space? OK Grandad, happy 80th birthday. Here's your cake and here's the needle."

By his standards, most of the world never does anything "remotely useful".

What an ass.

Prestidigitweeze · 11-19-2012, 12:51 AM

I think he's actually making a series of morbid jokes (as indeed he does throughout most of the interview). I think he realizes you're not supposed to advocate euthanasia for Grandpa or call him "useless."

Reminds me of Lars von Trier's making humorous comments about sympathizing with Hitler which he thought no one would take seriously until he was immediately banned from the Cannes Film Festival for the rest of his life.

11-16-2012, 08:38 AM	#1
Prestidigitweeze Fledgling Demagogue Posts: 1,558 Karma: 18418091 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New York Device: Aura HD; PRS-950; PRS-350; Kindle K; Epic 4G; NC-10; MBP 15".	Peter Greenaway: "I Plan to Kill Myself at 80" A saddening commentary on Greenaway, his medium and his milieu: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/...o-kill-himself Even Greenaway's make-believe plans for suicide, like the truer ones of certain of his characters, have the sound of an obsession rendered numerological. __________________ The more we acquire, the greater our chance of disappointment. Less is not only more. It is also more fulfilling. "Schmuecke dich, O liebe Seele." Last edited by Prestidigitweeze; 11-19-2012 at 12:54 AM. Reason: Emphasized that Greenaway's suicide comments were intended as a joke.

11-17-2012, 06:41 AM	#3
PainMike the Gusto Gargoyle Posts: 67 Karma: 1375270 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Finland Proper Device: none	Seen Greenaway, forced by wife; wine and metaphora. I guess his funeral shall be high society version of MAS*H 'Suicide is Painless' scene. Yet he represents the other side of the wheel-running culture. __________________ "'Cogito, Ergo Sum,' said the ghost" Author: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/painmike Mad Author: http://painmike.wordpress.com/

11-17-2012, 11:49 AM	#4
Tony Richards Addict Posts: 283 Karma: 595994 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle	By the time Greenaway hits 80, he might well remember that he wants to kill someone ... but simply not remember who. __________________ Tony Richards -- author of dark fantasy and supernatural fiction. Currently signed to Schusters and Samhain, but I also self-pub. Website - Kindle - Smashwords - Nook - Kobo Last edited by Tony Richards; 11-17-2012 at 12:01 PM.

11-17-2012, 04:41 PM	#5
cassidym Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,395 Karma: 5213134 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Northern Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-505, iPhone 5, Sony T1, iPad 3	When I die, I want to go in my sleep like my grandfather and not yelling and screaming like the passengers in his car. __________________ I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library. - Jorge Luis Borges

11-18-2012, 08:16 AM	#7
cassidym Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,395 Karma: 5213134 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Northern Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-505, iPhone 5, Sony T1, iPad 3	In fact, neither did mine but the line does get a giggle. __________________ I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library. - Jorge Luis Borges

11-17-2012, 06:17 AM	#2
Quexos Freethinker Posts: 1,498 Karma: 7053978 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Glo, Aura HD 2.5.1	I'm not sure it's worth killing yourself at such an advanced age, when you hit 80 you just relax and wait for it because it will come soon enough anyways.

11-19-2012, 12:51 AM	#9
Prestidigitweeze Fledgling Demagogue Posts: 1,558 Karma: 18418091 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New York Device: Aura HD; PRS-950; PRS-350; Kindle K; Epic 4G; NC-10; MBP 15".	I think he's actually making a series of morbid jokes (as indeed he does throughout most of the interview). I think he realizes you're not supposed to advocate euthanasia for Grandpa or call him "useless." Reminds me of Lars von Trier's making humorous comments about sympathizing with Hitler which he thought no one would take seriously until he was immediately banned from the Cannes Film Festival for the rest of his life. __________________ The more we acquire, the greater our chance of disappointment. Less is not only more. It is also more fulfilling. "Schmuecke dich, O liebe Seele."

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