I didn't really know what I was getting into last night when I sat in the recliner to watch a film I had taped on TCM (Turner Classic Movies) a couple months ago. The film was the 1962 Spanish classic El Angel Exterminador (The Exterminating Angel), co-written and directed by surrealist great Luis Bunuel. After seeing this film, I have to say I'll make it a point to see many of Bunuel's other works.
This is the kind of film that frustrates many viewers, while marveling others, for it leaves open to interpretation the point and message it's trying to get across, while being able to provide just as much power and marvel behind one interpretation as with another. As for me, I'm definitely in the latter of the two groups I mentioned. Some people need a very black-and-white message, void of symbolism and ambiguity, to be fully satisfied with a film-viewing experience. While I can be satisfied with such a viewing, I tend to more enjoy an experience where my mind is stimulated, where I can re-experience the same film with different thoughts and feelings than I had the previous time, and that sticks with me for hours and days afterward. This is definitely that type of film. The next time I view it, I'll likely observe something I hadn't the first go-round, and it will make a profound impact on my thoughts and feelings surrounding that scene and perhaps the film in general.
It's really amazing to me how much took place in this film, how much was being said and showcased, when not a great deal happened. The majority of the film is shot in one room of a large house. Twenty guests are invited a dinner and before they arrive, the chefs and waiters leave for no particular reason. Following dinner, drinks, chatter, and a pianist performing a song or two, it dawns on everyone that the party has come to a close and it is probably time to part ways, yet that never happens. Everyone falls asleep in that same room and within a day or so, start to realize nobody has left that room. When discussing the matter, no one is sure why that is or what the reason(s) is (are) that no one left the party in the first place. Food and water starts to become scarce, and the group of people begin to act like animals. Their tempers get the best of them at times. They long and lust for another in the room and sometimes act upon it. Blame is cast on everyone but oneself. Fear of responsibility and leadership is displayed. Whenever one suggests someone has to do something about the problem(s) at hand, the other replies with, "Why don't you do something instead?" Some people resorted to prayer and other religious/spiritual practices. Nobody was willing to be the first to step out of the room, say things would be alright, and to follow them. I remember at one point in the film, a man said, "I'd rather die than live with this kind of anarchy."
While I could be wrong on Mr. Bunuel's original intent for the film, I interpreted it as a dark comedy on human life, especially when it comes to social classes. Most everyone in the film was fearful of breaking out of the social norms, of being the first and potentially being laughed at in response. They were fearful of taking on any kind of responsibility, so they passed it onto another. They often times didn't know of any reason for an action they made or a series of words in which they spoke. Not much of anything could be seen as certain, yet they still believed in some greater reason, some greater being to look after and take care of them. The film showcased how dependent many people are on others without even realizing it. When the chefs and waiters left the home, the guests soon seemed clueless on how to go about things. The film showed that it's often a part of human denial to think that with all our fears and social constraints, we're freer than animals, and that while we may like to believe we could live peacefully and happily in a world void of government, that isn't likely.
I think this is a brilliant film and highly recommend it to any serious film-goer. It may take multiple viewings for everything to fully sink in, but after watching it for the first time last night, I can honestly say I can't wait to see it again.
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/le-angel-exterminador-the-exterminating-angel/
This is the kind of film that frustrates many viewers, while marveling others, for it leaves open to interpretation the point and message it's trying to get across, while being able to provide just as much power and marvel behind one interpretation as with another. As for me, I'm definitely in the latter of the two groups I mentioned. Some people need a very black-and-white message, void of symbolism and ambiguity, to be fully satisfied with a film-viewing experience. While I can be satisfied with such a viewing, I tend to more enjoy an experience where my mind is stimulated, where I can re-experience the same film with different thoughts and feelings than I had the previous time, and that sticks with me for hours and days afterward. This is definitely that type of film. The next time I view it, I'll likely observe something I hadn't the first go-round, and it will make a profound impact on my thoughts and feelings surrounding that scene and perhaps the film in general.
It's really amazing to me how much took place in this film, how much was being said and showcased, when not a great deal happened. The majority of the film is shot in one room of a large house. Twenty guests are invited a dinner and before they arrive, the chefs and waiters leave for no particular reason. Following dinner, drinks, chatter, and a pianist performing a song or two, it dawns on everyone that the party has come to a close and it is probably time to part ways, yet that never happens. Everyone falls asleep in that same room and within a day or so, start to realize nobody has left that room. When discussing the matter, no one is sure why that is or what the reason(s) is (are) that no one left the party in the first place. Food and water starts to become scarce, and the group of people begin to act like animals. Their tempers get the best of them at times. They long and lust for another in the room and sometimes act upon it. Blame is cast on everyone but oneself. Fear of responsibility and leadership is displayed. Whenever one suggests someone has to do something about the problem(s) at hand, the other replies with, "Why don't you do something instead?" Some people resorted to prayer and other religious/spiritual practices. Nobody was willing to be the first to step out of the room, say things would be alright, and to follow them. I remember at one point in the film, a man said, "I'd rather die than live with this kind of anarchy."
While I could be wrong on Mr. Bunuel's original intent for the film, I interpreted it as a dark comedy on human life, especially when it comes to social classes. Most everyone in the film was fearful of breaking out of the social norms, of being the first and potentially being laughed at in response. They were fearful of taking on any kind of responsibility, so they passed it onto another. They often times didn't know of any reason for an action they made or a series of words in which they spoke. Not much of anything could be seen as certain, yet they still believed in some greater reason, some greater being to look after and take care of them. The film showcased how dependent many people are on others without even realizing it. When the chefs and waiters left the home, the guests soon seemed clueless on how to go about things. The film showed that it's often a part of human denial to think that with all our fears and social constraints, we're freer than animals, and that while we may like to believe we could live peacefully and happily in a world void of government, that isn't likely.
I think this is a brilliant film and highly recommend it to any serious film-goer. It may take multiple viewings for everything to fully sink in, but after watching it for the first time last night, I can honestly say I can't wait to see it again.
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/le-angel-exterminador-the-exterminating-angel/
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