Reviews

High society is treating a funeral like a fashion show, and not crying during a funeral as that's seen as immoral because "you must never steal the show from the family". To others like Jep, he cries because he's human. The great beauty is a perspective, to see the sea in the ceiling. The little girl who rebels against her father by creating her great beauty on canvas. Art is subjective of course, to some its running into a brick pillar.

During a party, Jep comments that "the trains at our parties are best, they go nowhere." A couple scenes later we see a woman who has been snorting coke throughout the night, now with blood coming out her nose. She looks up seeing two planes going in opposite directions, possibly realizing she's on the train going nowhere, without direction.

One of Jeps closest friends ask, "what's wrong with feeling nostalgic? Its the only distraction left for those who've no faith in the future." Jep tells a story of his youth when he was 18 and his love 20, between the sea and a lighthouse. The great beauty of this memory was the momental flash of her breast, much like the fleeting light from the lighthouse. Moments of great beauty always seem to be a fleeting moment in time, the "inconstant flashes of beauty that comes through, underneath the "wretched squalor and miserable humanity". "This is how it always ends, with death. But first there is life. Hidden beneath the blah, blah, blah."

"Silence, sentiment, emotion, fear.. are the roots underneath. On top of that is the chitter chatter and the noise." "Beyond there is what lies beyond. I don't deal with what lies beyond." Perhaps we shouldn't either.

Yes, the film is very Fellini-esque, combining ideas from both 8 1/2 and La Dolce Vita, but with enough of its own direction to not totally feel like you've seen it before.

The super dramatic high contrast of the black and white cinematography during the final scene of the first story, capturing the dramatic moment of Lucia stabbing the man who betrayed her for the sake of war, seem to balance each other out in one of the many breathtakingly beautiful shot scenes in this under seen film. The first story is shot best I think, but the entire picture is almost all visually stunning for the most part.

During the third story, Tomas is at a rally listening to a woman speak about how wives should not be jealous when a comrades sister or "some hussy" flirts with their husband. Its "the wrong attitude" for the revolution. Tomas applauds in agreement, despite his entire story revolving around his toxic jealously and controlling behavior.

I referred to it as under seen because as of today, it only has 1,059 votes and the last review is from 11 years ago.

Its better to watch and experience this for yourself rather than reading too much about it, so I'll stop there as I believe the movie speaks for itself.

I first watched this film on New Years eve 2017, and as the dramatic final scene took place, at midnight coincidentally, fireworks went off outside all around. Its an experience I'll never forget and in fact, I try to recreate that experience and feeling every year on new years eve, and its no different tonight. As a new year begins, resolutions are made but not always kept. What better way to explore self redemption than through death and rebirth. Most of us would change in some aspect if we came face to face with death, but most of the time we aren't lucky enough to get that opportunity, as its too late.

The fantasy aspect of the film gives the main character, David Holm, redemption.. A chance to do things right, a rebirth. A new year to us, is a form of rebirth. A time to change. I think instead of trying to change once a year, we should treat everyday as a rebirth, to do better than yesterday. You'll never know if today is your last.

I highly recommend watching this with the Matti Bye musical score, as that is in my opinion the definitive way of experiencing this beautifully haunting silent film. My personal favorite silent picture. 10/10.

The only truth he seems to find in the end, is that his life is quite meaningless and empty.. The film wraps up with the death of a relative he didn't know and his apartment being robbed. That's the real truth, that's reality. If you thought "nothing happens" or it was "boring", that's kind of the point. This is his life day after day. The question is, would you rather watch it or live it?