from Quirk Books

Film snobs are just like their visual art and music-loving brethren in that they have an aptitude for pretentious conversation. It’s the kind of discussion that would make anybody not unusually well-versed in independent and avant-garde cinema squirm like a Latter-Day Saint at a strip club. Unfortunately, finding oneself accidentally embroiled in such conversation is far more likely and much less hilarious than the latter (no pun intended…) situation:

- Average Adam, what did you think of Ingmar Bergman’s seminal Persona?

- Uh…

If this question would likely elicit a similar response from your mouth, and you generally enjoy movies (just not the “right” ones), Robert Schnakenberg’s “Secret Lives of Great Filmmakers” is the ideal tome to carry on any trips to the local coffee shop. This time, when you bump into film aficionados sipping on Earl Grey tea – because nothing subtly whispers “I am enlightened” like drinking tea in a coffee shop – the conversation might go a little something like this:

-       Average Adam, what did you think of Ingmar Bergman’s seminal Persona?

-       I will answer your question with another question, Enlightened Eddie. What do you think of Bergman’s ability to hurl his fuzzy slippers at leading lady Liv Ullman’s head, as he once did in the midst of a lovers’ spat?

Schnakenberg’s book contains all sorts of random tidbits like this about directors hailing from places all over the world and from across time, like the early twentieth-century’s D.W. Griffith to modern-day heavyweights like Tarantino. “Secret Lives of Great Filmmakers” functions as a collection of short biographies of major directors, as the author briefly summarizes their lives before delving into the more sordid parts of their existence. The book contains somewhat well-known facts like Walt Disney’s sympathies for the Nazi party, as well as trivia even the most hardened film buff likely wouldn’t know. Take, for example, Charlie Chaplin’s reputation for being well-hung.

The Not-So Little Tramp

“Secret Lives of Great Filmmakers” is organized chronologically, with a chapter for each director. It also has an index in the back, so it’s easy to find information if you’re looking for a particular director or bit of trivia. But it’s definitely not a serious reference book – which should be pretty obvious if you noticed the ad in the back matter for the new Quirk Books’ website, Irreference.com – and like a lot of things that are slightly irreverent, Schnakenberg’s book isn’t boring, either.

Although the book is chock full of facts about directors most people haven’t heard of, it’s entertaining and easy enough to read for anybody who harbors even the slightest fondness for the silver screen.  It’s also a good primer for people who want to explore great directors and don’t know where to start, as each chapter lists the director’s major works.

That’s not to say it’s dumbed down; I’m sure even the snobbiest of film critics would discover something previously-unknown with the book’s abundance of director-centric tidbits.  At the very least, they would appreciate Schnakenberg’s witty, snarky, and slightly bitter tone. In fact, “Secret Lives of Great Filmmakers” is a great read for a lot of folks. Film buffs, those who enjoy breaking awkward silences in social situations by spouting off random trivia, and people who’d rather read a book in between classes instead of checking Facebook will all find something to enjoy within its pages.

Visit Irreference.com to purchase the book and see similar titles.