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July 1999: (and this text still fits :-))
In December of 1997 I saw Wintersleepers for the very first
time (thanks to Filmstudio, Bremen :-)).
Sometimes you're irritated by a film and regret the money you spent to see it. And
there are also a lot of wonderful films which are really entertaining. And every now and then,
there are films that make your brain go "click", and a voice inside of you says "Yes, this is it!"
And the atmosphere of the film is exactly on your own wavelength. This is what happened with me
while watching Wintersleepers.
When Run Lola Run came out in the cinemas eight months
later and I came out of the cinema all hyped up, I knew that at long last there was a new and
special German film-maker again.
No, Tom Tykwer is not a god, and I will refrain from describing him as being "the
only one". There are quite a lot of people in the film business I like. But what I like about Tom
especially is his unique style:
He manages to create atmospheric films. To me, the atmosphere is the
most important factor of a film. As soon as it is fitting I'm happy and enjoy the movie. Which of
course doesn't necessarily mean that I'll inevitably love it in the end, but the chances are not
that bad. :-)
Heiko Rosner wrote in Cinema 8/98: "When you try to describe a film by Tom Tykwer,
you quite often slip into a sociologist language." But the point is that his films are
""intellectual"" in a way, but at the same time really entertaining (a combination that is yet
quite unusual among German film-makers... :-)). Tom does not strive for the lowest common
denominator but does not lose touch with the audience either.
I thought it to be exciting to create a homepage about someone who has not a life's
work to show yet. Which of course makes it a bit difficult to create a webpage bursting with facts
and features, because you cannot access a huge archive of work unlike with people such as
Spielberg, Coppola or Lynch.
Additionally, I make it difficult for myself since I want to do without a detailed
gossip column. So if Tom Tykwer should marry someone, it will be mentioned on these pages. But
facts about who he jumps into bed with or how it is remarkable that he was seen attending two gala
shows in a row in company of actress Deidre X may amuse me but are not intended as the essential
content of this homepage.
But still or just because of that I wanted to put this homepage online, because Tom
is still a rather new face in the film world. His style is still developing and so things stay
interesting.
And after all, I hope that these pages are and and will be an homage spiced with
benevolence :-), but that they won't turn into pure worshipping.
2. A webmaster is not omniscient. :-)
I am interested in all texts that tell us more about Tom Tykwer or that analyze and
interpret his films. I personally think it is rather exhausting and boring to read ten or twenty
versions of how different critics rate a film. This is why I only put up those critiques that go
beyond the usual "thumbs up or down" measurement and dare to interpret the film. I think that is
the point where it gets interesting because after all, this is a site for the fans, ie for those
who want to know more about Tom Tykwers films than just the general opinion of the critics. If you
are looking for a collection of critiques you can locate them at the Internet Movie Database.
This site is a work in progress. Which not only means that it is constantly altered
and updated, but also that I have to rely on support of other fans. A webmaster is not omniscient.
:-) Like I wrote in the small print on the front page: I am just one of Tom's fans. I am
interested in everything related to him or his work, but that does not mean that I always know
what is written when and where about him.
Since Lola has been released worldwide by now and we are on
the internet here, it is a complete illusion to believe that it is possible to find out all the
news about Tom. The sheer mass of information is far too big and I have barely enough time for
that, after all maintaining this homepage is just a part of my free time. Which means that I
apprechiate all kinds of help:
So if you have any news, images, release dates, texts about Tom Tykwer or additions,
corrections or suggestions about these pages, don't hesitate, send it now!
:-)
3. There is still something missing on that page over
there...
I know. Short answer: It's my approach. :-)
Long answer: My general concept for this site is to get things going at all. This
means that I try to make the information available on the net at all. Even though a certain amount
of completeness is desirable, I think it is rather annoying for example to not upload Lola's FAQ
just because the soundtrack page is incomplete yet. I am constantly (well, almost :-)) working on
these pages, so sooner or later the neglected sections will be updated as well.
I have a similar approach towards the design: The most important thing is to make the
information itself available, after that is done I spend some time on the looks of the pages. I do
think that an appealing design is an important part of making a homepage. But still I rather put a
page on the net with just a simple text-based link than waiting another two days just because I
haven't found the time for creating graphics or having creative thoughts about the design
yet..
Hope you'll enjoy these pages! :-)
Jan.