by Charlie Fabre
As you may or may not have heard, Swim Press is open again for issue 07: bury / excavate! Now, this is a theme we’re so excited about (though we’re usually excited about all our themes) because we just think it will bring up so many interpretation possibilities!
If you’re struggling for some inspiration, though, here are some moves that we think fit the theme and that we love!
1. La Chimera
The most recently released movie on this list, La Chimera is simply stunning. Set in Italy, it follows a group of local treasure hunters and Arthur, an English-man with a gift. So, there is literally excavating at play here as the gang uncover beautiful relics from the past and escape the hands of the local police. But, as the movie unravels, we find out that it’s about much more than just treasure hunting, and Arthur is brought on an emotional and spiritual journey.
2. Tomb Raider
A classic for a reason, Tomb Raider is of course all about burying and excavating as we follow iconic Lara Croft through her adventures digging up treasure. Filled with adventure, fun, and flair, Tomb Raider is just so exciting and it may inspire you to write a straight up adventure fantasy!
3. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
When you think of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, you may not immediately think bury / excavate, but this bitter sweet drama encapsulates these themes perfectly. After a breakup, Joel and Clementine choose to erase their memories of each other to stop the pain. But, with it, they are of course erasing their happiness. This is a brilliant movie all about how burying the past may not always be a good option, even if it may be less hurtful for you in the present.
4. Memento
Enough about burying the past, what about digging it up? Memento follows a protagonist who forgets everything he has learned in a day the following morning. Add in the fact that he’s trying to piece together the murder of his wife, and you have an incredibly tense and dramatic film. In an effort to remember the past, or excavate it if you will, Leonard tattoos new learned information on his skin, and every day he begins to put the puzzle together. A classic in the crime genre, you really can’t miss Memento.
5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
This coming of age movie follows the main character Charlie as he navigates his first year in high school, reeling from the death of his best friend. He’s taken in by a group of seniors, and this is when his life begins. Perks of Being a Wallflower is one of my favourite movies, personally, and it is filled with both tenderness and striking sadness as we uncover the truth of Charlie’s past, as well as the pasts of his friends, and their collecting well-being moving forward. It’s not an on the nose interpretation of bury / excavate, but it does deal with digging up the past and keeping certain things hidden
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