Tag: Surreal
-
LA PLANÉTE SAUVAGE aka FANTASTIC PLANET
“La Planète sauvage” (also known as “Fantastic Planet”) is a 1973 René Laloux-directed French-Czechoslovak animated allegory set on the strange world of Ygam, home to the gigantic, blue-skinned alien species known as the Draags. Humanity—here called the Oms—are tiny, animal-like beings, often kept as pets or exterminated as pests. The film follows an Om named…
-
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
“2001: A Space Odyssey” is a 1968 groundbreaking science fiction epic directed by Stanley Kubrick and written by Kubrick, along with acclaimed science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke, that redefined the genre and filmmaking itself. Deeply philosophical and visually stunning, the film delves into themes of human evolution, artificial intelligence, space exploration, and the boundaries…
-
SISTER MIDNIGHT
“Sister Midnight” (2024) is a darkly comic, surreal horror-drama written and directed by Karan Kandhari in his feature debut. The film stars Radhika Apte, alongside Ashok Pathak, Chhaya Kadam, and Smita Tambe. Set in the dense, chaotic sprawl of Mumbai, the film blends deadpan humor, social satire, and grotesque fantasy to explore alienation, repression, and…
-
EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SEX (BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK)
“Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask)” is a 1972 American comedy anthology film written, directed, and starring Woody Allen. The film is a loose adaptation — more like a parody — of Dr. David Reuben’s best-selling sex manual of the same name, transforming clinical questions into a series…
-
ENYS MEN
“Enys Men” (Cornish for “Stone Island”) is a surreal, slow-burning folk horror film released in 2022. It was written, directed, and edited by Mark Jenkin, known for his work on “Bait.” The film is shot on 16mm film, giving it a grainy, analog aesthetic, and is set in 1973 on an isolated, uninhabited island off…
-
OPENING NIGHT
“Opening Night” is a 1977 raw, emotionally charged drama directed by John Cassavetes, starring Gena Rowlands in one of her most complex and celebrated roles. The film delves into the psychological unraveling of a stage actress confronting a personal and professional crisis as she prepares for the premiere of a new play. Set primarily within…
-
FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN or ANDY WARHOL’S FRANKENSTEIN (NSFW)
“Flesh for Frankenstein” (often referred to as Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein) is a 1973 surreal and darkly comedic horror film directed by Paul Morrissey, known for his collaborations with Andy Warhol. Although often associated with Warhol due to its branding, the film was helmed creatively and visually by Morrissey. It was initially released in 3D and…
-
POOR THINGS
“Poor Things” is a 2023 surreal, feminist science fiction comedy-drama film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. It is based on Alasdair Gray’s 1992 novel of the same name. Known for its visual style, dark humor, and profound exploration of identity and liberation, the film has been widely acclaimed and won the Golden Lion at the 80th…
-
AFTER HOURS
“After Hours,” a 1985 film directed by Martin Scorsese, is a darkly comedic and surreal exploration of urban anxiety and existential frustration. Set over the course of one harrowing night in New York City’s SoHo district, the film follows mild-mannered word processor Paul Hackett (Griffin Dunne), whose innocent quest for a casual date spirals into…
-
SZERELMEM, ELEKTRA aka ELECTRA, MY LOVE
‘Electra, My Love’ (Szerelmem, Elektra) is a 1974 visually stunning and politically charged Hungarian film directed by Miklós Jancsó. Known for his long takes and choreographed movement, Jancsó reinterprets the classic Greek myth of Electra as an allegory of revolution, oppression, and hope. The film is notable for being shot in just 12 long takes,…
The Other Cinema 