un chien andalous - Britmovie

greeneggst · 14-11-2006, 05:09 PM

One way to approach such a film is to treat it as a manifestation of psychological processes, or perhaps as a work which consciously plays with perceived psychological processes. A psychoanalysis of that sort would no doubt be justified both by the writings of Buñuel as well as by the content and style of the film which appear to be laden with Freudian (or perhaps Lacanian) meaning. But perhaps we can also consider the emotional value of a surrealist film like Un Chien Andalou, experiencing it on a more visceral level. After all, Buñuel himself was "seduced by that passion for the irrational." Are we as viewers seduced by that passion as well? And if so, how is that emotional impact conveyed?

Nick Dando · 14-11-2006, 07:57 PM

It's a great film, but I'm not sure what it has to do with discussions of British Cinema.

Nick

ChristineCB · 14-11-2006, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greeneggst

...visceral level...

I thought he wrote "viscous level" at first. YEOUCH. Holy Lasix, Batman...

penfold · 14-11-2006, 09:10 PM

I think the only way to experience it is by the visceral level...if you react either with fascination or repulsion - and Bunuel was probably after both responses - psychological analysis becomes superfluous; Bunuel wanted reaction, not analysis....

greeneggst · 14-11-2006, 10:47 PM

Well put penfold

WiseFilms · 15-11-2006, 06:23 AM

Bunuel was not interested in his films being treated as Avant Garde fantasies.
Yes, he wanted to provoke deep reactions from the spectator. That is why he'd always maintained that Un Chien Andalou was "a desperate call to murder".

I always felt the film was a protest against the entrenched apathy of the middle class...but Bunuel hated the analytical "semiotic" approach to film criticism, so I'll shut up now, out of respect for a great filmmaker.

14-11-2006, 05:09 PM	#1
greeneggst has no status. Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Essex Posts: 24 Country: iTrader: (0)	un chien andalous One way to approach such a film is to treat it as a manifestation of psychological processes, or perhaps as a work which consciously plays with perceived psychological processes. A psychoanalysis of that sort would no doubt be justified both by the writings of Buñuel as well as by the content and style of the film which appear to be laden with Freudian (or perhaps Lacanian) meaning. But perhaps we can also consider the emotional value of a surrealist film like Un Chien Andalou, experiencing it on a more visceral level. After all, Buñuel himself was "seduced by that passion for the irrational." Are we as viewers seduced by that passion as well? And if so, how is that emotional impact conveyed?

14-11-2006, 09:10 PM	#4
penfold is feeling moderate Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 3,208 Country: iTrader: (0)	I think the only way to experience it is by the visceral level...if you react either with fascination or repulsion - and Bunuel was probably after both responses - psychological analysis becomes superfluous; Bunuel wanted reaction, not analysis.... __________________ Bit of a Bay Window, what??

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14-11-2006, 07:57 PM	#2
Nick Dando has no status. Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Stamford Posts: 694 Country: iTrader: (2)	It's a great film, but I'm not sure what it has to do with discussions of British Cinema. Nick

14-11-2006, 10:47 PM	#5
greeneggst has no status. Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Essex Posts: 24 Country: iTrader: (0)	Well put penfold