Have You Seen ‘Smoke’?
The movie Smoke, starring Harvey Keitel and William Hurt, is one of my favorites, and I was thrilled to find this scene (video below) and wanted to share it with you. It speaks volumes about the creative process and the creative journey.
Keitel plays Auggie, a cigar store owner from Brooklyn, and William Hurt plays one of his customers, a writer and widower.
In this scene, Hurt’s character discovers that Auggie has a hobby - photography - and a rather unusual creative project. Notice how the scene is about 2 artists talking about art, and all the while the sequence is a work of art; beautifully written, acted, and paced.
I hope you’ll watch all 7 minutes, and break out the tissues, kids, because it includes one of the most heartbreaking ideas I’ve ever seen on film:
[Rent the movie! Especially to find out how Auggie got his camera. Your thoughts? Leave a comment…
Beautiful…. Art is so much about perspective. Not only seeing things from your own perspective but also climbing into the skin of the artist and attemping experience his art from his perspective. It gives art another demension.
I loved the quote, “…that’s what people see, but it’s not necessarily what I am…”
Mark, i watched your Smoke clip a couple of nights ago and have had a hard time coming up with the *right* words. so before you move on to another post, i’ll simply say wOw and THANKS. Smoke is next on my Netflix list.
what a JOY to be handed new treasures.
Laurie - great point!
Krystin - Glad you picked up on that line - I love that quote too. Speaks for a lot of closet creative people.
Lisa - I really appreciate you commenting. (I was sort of hoping for a little more comment love about this post, because I love the clip so much!) Yes, the movie is full of surprises and great performances - hope you enjoy!