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ACF#16: Last Days of Disco
Here’s a first podcast from Rome, a much-needed companion to my podcast on Whit Stillman’s Damsels in Distress, with Carl Eric Scott and Flagg Taylor. Carl and I now talk about Stillman’s Last Days of Disco to give you our insights into the possible education of young Americans by cocktails, dancing, and conversation. We mount a qualified defense of disco and a less-qualified defense of the comedy of manners as an examination of American character and the possibilities for love and friendship that seem to give meaning to higher education. Carl and I also talk at some length about things we learned about Stillman from the late Peter Lawler, a kind of mentor to both of us. Friends, listen to the podcast and please share it, if you like it.
Here are some of Carl’s thoughts on Last days of disco, over at First things, in his Songbook series, #67, #68, & #69.
& here’s Peter Lawler’s essay on nature & grace!
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Good man.
Never saw that movie. It had disco in the title. What’s next, Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo?
Not a lot of disco, but it’s preppie kids undergoing heartbreak & “ferocious pairing off”, as one of them says. You might find them unlovely…
Still, it’s gutsy & sensible all at once to defend disco in face of the Woodstock music, which was not made for couples to dance to.
Yeah, kind souls pointed out I need to fix that–I figured where the setting was, but not a way to make it automatic. Now, I’m reminded every time I upload one. Of course, if I look through the privacy settings I might find something…
Titus, I am interested also by the photo that is the background of the soundcloud file. Is that during the shooting of the movie? It looks like it is a subway train? Are those girls in the middle just riding the train or are they part of the movie?
This movie is one I haven’t seen yet, but I am enjoying your discussion thus far.
Thanks.
The picture seems to be from the shooting of the last scene, on the subway, dancing. Dunno about the young girls. Someone’s kids, surely.
This is a wonderful movie. Stillman is one of my favorite directors. He is as witty as Oscar Wilde.
Glad you like it! I recommend, of course, my podcasts & the various essays I’ve linked. It’s a treat for the weekend to see how much is concealed in the man’s wit. He doesn’t waste dialogue or plot or setting!