It's Not Easy Being Human - The Living Paintings of Roy Andersson

Check out my new channel here [Ordinary Things]: / ordinarythings
An investigation of the painterly influences of Swedish Director, Roy Andersson. From the Renaissance to the German New Objectivity. Andersson's career is entirely singular, making him one of the most original artists to ever work in cinema.

[@susannemcarlisle]

"The colors have taken a vow of silence." My God, man, what good writing.

[@susannemcarlisle]

"They call me Lola-Lola!"

[@Herfinnur]

We just completed a 29 performances long almost completely sold out stretch of selected Roy Anderson scenes at the Faroese national theatre, and surprise, surprise: it works wonderfully as theater

[@maryk.933]

this sounds fantastic! Can we se photos/videos somewhere?

[@Nadia-jk5jw]

My first time actually hearing about the filmmaker. From a traditional artist and film enthusiast - thank you!

[@FilmQualia]

He's amazing! I'm sure you'l love him

[@iSometimesWriteMusic]

Big fan of Ordinary Things. And Roy Andersson as well! Even though I haven't seen all his movies. I was actually an extra in You the Living, a scene with a marching band and a lot of onlookers. It was recorded in 2005, I was 15. I remember all the white make up and how long we were expected to stand there to get the scene just right. Roy is a perfectionist. Nice video essay!

[@sudynim]

It's a name of a different film critique channel but this artist truly is "Every Frame A Painting"

[@AugustusRex-nk8ze]

I love that there are so few cuts and close ups in his films. It makes them calming to the senses.

[@lalahon2172]

This is super interesting. I've never heard of this director but I now I want to watch his movies. Thanks a lot for making this!

[@FilmQualia]

That's what this video is here for! Andersson is a genius

[@theuniversewithin74]

Please check out his works. They are amazing. No one makes movies like Andersson. It can be a little challenging to take it all in, but once you connect with them they provide a broad variety of emotions. I consider him as a painter. He paints beautiful masterpieces.

[@Liz-lw4mr]

He also reminds me Edward Hopper, and glad you mentioned that. Thanks Driely for bringing me here!

[@austinmcconnell]

I loved this. Thanks, man.

[@FilmQualia]

glad you enjoyed!

[@FilmQualia]

Big fan of your stuff too! I've got a new channel here, if you're interested: kzbin.info

[@reverietapes]

Heyyyy you

[@hridyeshrawat6131]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKa9p4anat-Ah7s

[@mrd5024]

Andersson really is a sublime filmmaker

[@FilmQualia]

I'm amazed I went through this whole essay without saying sublime, because that's exactly what he is

[@robertobartoli1106]

Vero!

[@AdamIsInTheGulag]

Thank you Reddit for directing me to this intricate, insightful & well thought out video essay. Roy Andersson is honestly a beautiful director, was first introduced to his work when watching You the living.

[@PandemoniumMeltDown]

Roy Andersson feels like home to me. I also enjoy Gregory Crewdson, his photos are, interestingly similar, in form, to what was shown here. Creating like they do is very time consuming but hey, that's me too so :D

[@patricioblanche2619]

100%

[@RADIOSUICIDIO]

Why I find this carefully curated aesthetic so profoundly terrifying and depressing. It's the stuff of nightmares, but more like a fever nightmare where I'm not fully asleep nor awake.

[@halimeyel6700]

Roy Anderson is my favorite director

[@Herfinnur]

I've just had confirmed that I'll be performing in a play based on the trilogy next year, so I'm rewatching all his stuff (I also love and grew up on his commercials). This really helped me understand them and him better.

[@pradeephistory]

Wonderful tribute to Roy

[@blt171]

He's so underrated! True artists often are.

[@GrantLenaarts]

beautiful both in tone & effort.

[@richardjermain4052]

Great take! Andersson's characters are so afflicted and silly but also dignified. Glad to hear your perspective--and to learn about the influences.

[@heygem]

Got here from reddit. Nice work!

[@ApplethatisJuice]

This is an amazing video. I am actually writing my history of art dissertation on Roy Andersson at the moment and came to youtube to procrastinate! So happy I stumbled upon this. I really liked you analysis of the paintings he is inspired by. Very fresh take from the articles I have read which seem to take them much more on surface level. I'm trying to make the argument that Roy Andersson's films are history pantings of the 21st century, basically he is 2010s version of Peter Brugel. It would be really cool if you wanted to chat and share some ideas, if not great video! Love your taste in films, keep it up !

[@Taeronai]

It would be interesting to read your dissertation!

[@dorikiraly2432]

Hello! I have literally just commented on this video that I am also writing my thesis about his work, and then I saw this! I know you wrote this post two years ago, so I guess the dissertation is already done, but if you see this, I’d be very happy to read it or ask for your help with the sources and literature you used! Thanks a lot in advance!

[@Viscamo]

Great document about great artist Andersson and a fantastic painters. It was philosophical, accurate, clear. Bravo "Film Qualia"

[@LiamKearney]

This is great, thank you for this! I'm currently in pre-production for a short and I showed this to my wife (who will be doing Production Design) and now she's super inspired and is going through our art and photography books for inspiration. Keep up the good work!

[@FilmQualia]

Ah thanks! That's nice to hear, be sure to send it my way when you've finished it (long way off, I'm sure, but I'll remember!)

[@rominabranlopez9937]

i've known and loved Andersson's work for 1 year and a half now. This is the first video essay i actually consider it's really good. Thank you very much.

[@solushex]

When I first saw Songs from the Second Floor and the scene at 0:27 came up I immediately thought of Hoppers' Nighthawks. When I listened to the DVD commentary though Andersson's interviewer specifically asks him this question (if he was influenced in any way by Edward Hopper) and he said no, the scene was influenced by his memories of a Parisian café.

[@AA-el8co]

THANK YOU SO MUCH Film Qualia for beautifully depicting an underrated genius cinematic guru

[@Katerina-nl4tz]

Roy Anderson is an auteur One of the few

[@TrapLoreRoss]

Brilliant stuff!

[@ExcruciatingDeth]

Yo do you guys line together?

[@critcallydamped]

This was amazingly done. I'm so happy that this exists.

[@mrsoprano3848]

Just finished watching it....i really cried at that moving house scene ☹️☹️

[@osip7315]

i thought quality criticism was dead its not

[@TheTachy0n]

It's just dead in Hollywood

[@StainesAlex]

I agree - what an excellent piece of work in a genre that has almost completely been taken over by "film reviewers".

[@1redspan]

Wonderfully informative. Many thanks.

[@TheNaiveJohn]

Sheer quality in all respects. i'de never heard of Andersson until now but will surely check him out.

[@Chesterton7]

Wow! Thank you, FQ, this is superb!

[@b0lkan]

Fantastic video about a fantastic filmmaker. Well done!

[@humoroususername8118]

killer work, Andersson needs more exposure

[@lessonsfromthescreen6999]

Brilliant video essay. Very thoughtfully put together, discussed and edited. Andersson is truly a visionary filmmaker and I love his Living Trilogy.

[@vladimirmylnikov8259]

Superb!!!! Thank you very much for posting this!

[@dalialjene9100]

Hey man , saw your video on reddit. Whatever you do pls don't quit youtube. Keep on banging these videos out and i promise you will get a lot of subs. As someone who watches these types of videos often , the content is lacking on youtube , quality content that is and yours sure is quality :) all it takes is one video to get popular and people will watch all your videos. I know i bingewatch ( repeatedly sometimes) some channels you're good at this , I subbed and I will watch your future stuff. I know it takes a lot of time but I really appreciate all the effort you put into it and one day it will pay back!!!!

[@Si-Al-Ti]

In addition to your remark on Andersson always using "regular" looking people they're almost exclusively never trained/professional actors. Never thought of the similarities to Dix's and Grosz's art, nice :) If I may recommend another Swedish film, one of my favorites, it would be The Adventures of Picasso, a beautiful surrealist comedy looooooosely based on the life of Pablo Picasso, starring some of Swedens most legendary and funny actors. I Remember several years ago I was working on a ship, one day we had a guy from russia volounteering onboard, in the evening we where gonna watch a movie and he said he brought his favorite and guess what: It was the adventures of Picasso, which really surprised me :)

[@Dhamma12125]

I love your videos on less known and absolutely brilliant directors

[@bestaimee]

I know what I'll be obsessing over this weekend! Great vid- very well done.

[@FilmQualia]

An Andersson obsession is life-long, I hope you're prepared

[@LarryThegreat2011]

Excellent and inspiring. thank you.

[@bluekachim]

Thanks a lot for the information! I really wanted to know more about Roy Anderson after watching "Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence" but there was no information on Russian KZbin about him and his creation. Glad I've found this masterpiece and know English well enough to understand. Thanks again)

[@iloveyoufromthedepthofmyheart]

His works are magnificent, and so is your video. The visuals are sublime... I also liked the music you chose (Pace mio dio, sang by Maria Callas). Thank you.

[@iamnothercules]

Damnnn this video essay is in high quality, awesome work mate!!!!

[@foxzs]

Beautifully made. Well done.

[@Weirdo0258]

I was looking for an indroduction into Andersson..This was perfect!! Thank u for that wonderful narration as well, u maintained the mood perfectly.

[@aniketsanghavi]

Thank You for thia video, Brother! ❤️🎬🙌🏼

[@sunandasachatrakul6918]

This is fantastic. Thank you so much. I'm very excited to watch his films now and more of yours!

[@siddpai]

Just brilliant! Can’t thank you enough! 🙏

[@danndamien4330]

Exellent clip. Thanks.

[@enrico__8697]

This was incredible, please make more of this stuff!

[@GustafHauRuck]

I never watch movie reviews or any other arty farty stuff for that matter, but I got totally spellbound by your video and lost the track of time. You have a gift!

[@chadwalsh7604]

I really enjoyed that! thanks so much for introducing me to the various works in the documentary. Looking forward to your future videos!

[@nataliamalima2230]

A genius director and a very well done video critique! Thanks for sharing :)

[@EctothermalPuppy]

Great video essay. Andersson is by far my favorite director.

[@fredspipa]

Imagine my surprise when looking up conversations on Roy Andersson and I find that you had a media analysis channel before Ordinary Things. Thank you for this, it was a way more insightful video than I expected to find.

[@LesActive]

A great subject well presented. Bravo!

[@DanielaLatini]

Thanks a lot, great work:-)

[@FilmQualia]

Thank you!

[@TheFrankm3]

Very well written, enjoyed this very much. Will give me a new perspective on Anderssons films. Thanks

[@MungareMike]

I like watching Roy Andersson's movie. But this is eye opening moment to me. Thank you! ...and...you no longer make videos do you? :(

[@sonehillchung]

what a brilliant video essay!!!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@VanessaScrillions]

This is such an incredible video essay. Thanks

[@FilmQualia]

thank you!

[@bramsta]

Amazing video, thank you!

[@neko1200]

Amazing video and analysis! Thank you!

[@RezaNeshaat]

Great stuff! Thanks!

[@YngveDigernes]

On a side note, "Songs From the Second Floor" is dedicated to Cesar Vallejo, and frequently references his poem Beloved the one who sits down.

[@fisk0]

Another influence not mentioned by name (though to Swedish audiences, very well known), but paraphrased throughout the trilogy is August Strindberg's play "A Dream Play" ("Ett Drömspel") from 1902, about a demigod who comes to Earth to understand the human condition, and the phrase "det är synd om människan" is repeated throughout both the play and Songs from the Second Floor. The phrase is kinda hard to translate, but roughly means "have pity on the humans"/"it's pitiful to be human". Norwegian director Unni Straume made a film adaption of the play in 1994 which isn't too dissimilar in style to Roy Andersson's works either.

[@catalinge]

This was such great content to follow. Had never heard of him, but feel so informed. Very good commentary.

[@jimulder1109]

Beautiful video essay. Thank you.

[@tunaozer6580]

Thank you for a solid analysis. However, besides the painterly influences, I feel like the influence of filmmaker Jacques Tati is apparent in Anderssons work, and i doubt it is an unconscious influence. With that said, it would be interesting with a similar investigation of Tati and his films.

[@FilmQualia]

Great idea, I actually have some ideas written down about a Tati essay but its all very slapdash at the minute.

[@philbarber9738]

One challenging film maker, have to be in the right frame of mind to watch with all its stunning, brutal compositions that can put you in a trance. Really enjoyed the comparisons to artists (Grosz, Hopper) that one might expect but the Bruegel comparison, was a lesson in itself. Thanks. Subscribed.

[@mayurankashyap6475]

i cannot stress more on how perfect this video is made. kudos to @filmqualia

[@andrejbezak1522]

It´s interesting that the first Bruegel painting which you show at two minute mark (The Hunters in the Snow) is also the first of 24 frames in final movie of Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami. Two distinctive and unique filmmakers apparently shared the same inspiration. Two of my three favourite directors, the other one being Werner Herzog. Thanks for your video!

[@sol8140]

This was really good, thank you

[@farallosfilms1437]

Roy Andersson = Master / Film Qualia understanding Roy Andersson = Master

[@destonlee2838]

fantastic excellence I also see subdued essence of Chagall in andersons framing Often a door or window or bridge whereby one may escape.

[@DOX_Prod]

great hommage to this master of composition !

[@josegaray7640]

I have only watched 2 of your videos and I’m hooked. Amazing

[@thistree9028]

Thank you, for your brilliant critique..how about Tati? Agnes Varda? Love to here on this..

[@StefanDan85]

what an amazing analysis!!! Chapeau!

[@gabriellemyoung]

best one yet!

[@elisabeth8551]

FANTASTISKT !!!

[@weeverob]

To the list of painters who have influenced Roy I would add George Tooker to the top of your list.

[@tomascc9367]

thank you for very interesting ideas! Keep up with your work Film Qualia! Wish you creative and sucessful year!

[@FilmQualia]

thanks dude!

[@maimohamed3590]

His movies hit home with me I really don't know why, it just a piece of art✨👌

[@PandemoniumMeltDown]

:D

[@norberttanca]

Hey! Really loved it. Keep doing the right thing!

[@shanemorey5631]

Amazing video, thank you.

[@kin.ovi.]

Excellent breakdown, thanks

[@Yuki-rh1ie]

absolutely mind blowing!

[@t.sandwich]

Wish Criterion would put out the trilogy, would love to see tons of behind the scenes on these films

[@FilmQualia]

sane. I bet that would be great

[@monkeyass]

thank you for making this video

[@pawekaczorowski6647]

Thanx a lot for this amazing movie! :) So great!

[@_lambert_1785]

He now my new favourite director. Thanks for showing his work

[@murkywters]

Thanks for that. You deserve more subs

[@andreichernev1880]

Pretty kafkaesque, thank you

[@claudia-wo1on]

i love your videos, please keep it up

[@jarik1008]

Thank for this!

[@eugenemleblanc]

Excellent.

[@VasilisMatiakis]

Wonderful video, thank you so so much!!!