In the Intense Now

In the Intense Now is a 2017 documentary film that is both sociological and personal. Conceived by Brazilian filmmaker Joao Moreira Salles, the film exists as more than just a historical recounting but rather as a deeply contemplative exploration of personal and public upheaval.

At first glance, the film may seem fragmented. It explores three seemingly disparate historical incidents – the student protests in Paris in May 1968, the political upheavals in Prague of the same year, and China during the beginning of the Cultural Revolution in 1966. However, upon closer examination, one realizes that these far-flung events share a common thread of intense emotion tied to the energy of political movement and societal rupture, as hinted in the film's title.

In the Intense Now is as much about its subject matter as it is about perspective. Salles does not present a didactic narration of these historical events. Instead, he paints a captivating portrait of how individuals perceive, internalize, and remember major global incidents.

Salles' reflections on the 1968 protests in Paris, which are the focus of much of the film, are particularly intriguing. Conveying the sense of exhilaration, hope, and defiance, he humanizes the protesters, presenting them as the aggrieved and marginalized pushing against established systems. Using archival footage, he highlights moments of joy, mischief, and unity amongst the protesters, contradicting the often grim and conflict-heavy portrayal of the event. He explores the ways in which the experience shared between the protesters goes beyond the political to enter the realms of the deeply personal.

During the portion of the film dedicated to the Prague Spring, Salles adopts a more somber tone. Utilizing Czech television footage, he explores the hope and then subsequent disillusionment of the Czech people as reforms were crushed by invading Soviet forces.

The most striking personal aspect of In the Intense Now comes from the fact that Salles uses his mother's Super 8 footage shot during her trip to China during 1966. With her lens, she unwittingly captures the subtler, daily-life aspects of the Cultural Revolution. Her naive outsider perspective helps channel a unique view of China in that epoch.

The film brilliantly uses this collage of narratives to explore not only the intensity of the moment during these events but also the aftermath. There is a particular focus on the aftermath of euphoria, the moment when the wave of revolution has crested and started to recede, leaving both bewilderment and clarity in its wake.

The production values of In the Intense Now add layers to its narrative depth. It is a beautifully made film that lives as much in the pauses and silences as it does in the potency of its images and words. Salles employs both tranquility and intensity in combination, underscoring the film’s emotional variability.

In presenting this recontextualization, Salles does not shy away from analysis or commentary. However, he doesn't impose his viewpoint upon the viewer. Rather, he invites the observer to reflect with him, to consider the complexities of these revolutions and what they reflect about human nature and society. In the Intense Now is a film that depends as much on the audience's engagement and reflection as it does on Salles' impeccable direction and thought-provoking storytelling.

Despite being based on well-known historical events, the power of this movie lies not in the unfolding of those events, but in their interpretation. Throughout its length, In the Intense Now maintains an air of intimate conversation, a dialogue with the audience about what revolution looks like, feels like, and results in.

In summary, In the Intense Now is a thought-provoking documentary that subtly dissects the highly charged emotions found within the revolutions and societal shifts of the past. It is a compelling work of historical, political, and personal introspection that resonates long after the film has ended. A documentary not just to be watched but to be experienced, In the Intense Now is a poignant meditation on memory, politics, and the enduring power of collective action.