Where the wild things are
I just found this new trailer for Spike Jonze’s adaptation of Where the wild things are. The previous trailer had me convinced already, but this one just seals the deal. I don’t remember the last time I had been expecting something more eagerly…well, maybe the Dark Knight last year, but this just has the potential to be much, much better. At least more uplifting, which can’t hurt these days. The photography reminds me a little of that quality of light found in Eternal sunshine or the virgin suicides, and the Arcade Fire song seems to have been waiting for these images to take an even more emotional turn. I really hope the rest of the movie will be like this!
I didn’t grow up reading Where the wild things are. I don’t think they had it in France in the 80’s, but they had other great great books, and I have the fondest memories of some of my old illustrated fairy tales collections. There was this bi-monthly (or weekly, i don’t remember) series called Il racconta storie in Italy, and my grandparents used to send me each volume. It came with a tape, and when you heard the little bell sound, you had to turn the page. The usual stories, but they somehow managed to get all these great actors and voice talents, and each story had a cute retro 1980s soundtrack. Recently I found one guy on ebay who digitised the whole thing and sold it for the price of the DVD he burned it on. I think his profile is full of ecstatic comments from people in their 30’s now!
When Luca was born we started buying children books, and started from the classics. Sendak was one first obvious choice, and I totally understand why. In a way, I am thankful for the kids, because when you have children it’s up to you to find books that will please and challenge them, and the wealth of literature is just incredible. And the best kick out of the whole thing is to read those stories aloud. Clearly the writers had it all planned: you’re really missing out if you’re just letting your kids look at the pictures by themselves.
One thing I’ve noticed is how they actually prefer books that are well written, books that treat children like people and don’t assume that you only have to use monosyllabic words. “Let the wild rumpus start!” I’m not sure Luca knows what rumpus means yet, but he just loves reading this sentence aloud. And I think we are very lucky to be able to show him how beautiful books can be.
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