Badlands

I rewatched Terrence Malick's "Badlands" again today. The film is stunning; evocatively hued cinematography, a simple, almost naively classical score (which contrasts Kit's nonchalant violence so well, as does Holly's romantic, detached narration). Malick is undoubtably one of my all time favorite directors; his films strike every nerve and overwhelm every sense yet are so restrained, refined, sensitive and evocative - even the perfect war film Thin Red Line. Likewise The New World is a thing of beauty. I fervently encourage you to get your hands on copies of his films asap, you will not regret it.

Badlands is also one of my favorite style inspirations; from Kit's denim and white tshirt to Holly's contrastingly boyish and feminine looks. There is also something so arresting about her nostalgically girlish dresses amongst burnt out cars, barren fields and scrubby forests. The slight imperfections of Sheen and Spacek is also a refreshing change to what we see these days. Her barefaced beauty (quite literally - freckles are clear and her eyebrows and lashes are almost invisible) is fresh, quirky and breathtaking.

Source: Tumblr, Google Images

The film was also a direct inspiration for the "Badlands" editorial in Russh's September 09 issue, executed to perfection yet never coming remotely close to being a cliche of film or nostalgia.

Source: Scanned from Russh