Sweet Movie (Sub) [VHS]

Sweet Movie (Sub) [VHS]
by Dusan Makavejev

Sweet Movie (Sub) [VHS]

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Product details

Actor: Anna Prucnal, Carole Laure, Jane Mallett, Pierre Clémenti, Sami Frey
Director: Dusan Makavejev
Cinematographer: Pierre Lhomme
Writer: Dusan Makavejev
Editor: Yann Dedet
Producer: Helène Vager
Producer: Richard Hellman
Producer: Vincent Malle
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog; French (Original Language); Italian (Original Language); Polish (Original Language); Spanish (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled
Running Time: 98 minutes
Release Date: 1998-11-18
Audience Rating: Unrated
Publisher: Facets
Studio: Facets

VHS Movie Reviews of Sweet Movie (Sub) [VHS]

Movie Review: from scatology to eschatology
Summary: 5 Stars

I have to begin by admitting this is not an easy film to watch. To the regular viewer, the scatological overtones are gratuitous, to say the least. However, watching this film within its politico-temporal context, one can see that it is rather mis-characterized. Allow me to explain my journey in watching this film:

Like many of you, I decided to watch it just because Criterion put it out. I've known Yugoslav cinema to be rather colorful and did not mind a bit. As things started, I immediately saw the transparent pointers to cartoon-like representations of the US, Soviet Empire and even Western Europe for good measure, and the end-conclusion/state of each one of the systems. Alright, assuming the film was made in the '90s, I said to myself, "For the sake of completeness and honesty, where is the depiction of the Yugoslav tragedy?"

Indeed, post-WWII Yugoslavia had been an interesting historic anomaly. Its president, the Croat Iosip Broz Tito, who had won the best anti-fascist credentials leading the partisan fight from the mountains, managed to steer his country clear of the two major blocs on a third way. In other words, he was a socialist leader of a socialist country, within a socialist geography, who did not take orders from the Soviet bloc. Tito's Yugoslavs were enjoying most freedom--of thinking and movement--from all socialist countries. Then in 1991, 11 years after Tito passed away, Yugoslavia went up in flames. So, I'd have expected a bit of self-reflection from an Yugoslav director. Then, pausing briefly, I checked the production date and was stunned to see it was turned in 1974.

To put things in perspective, in 1974, the Cold War was going strong, Richard Nixon resigned as President of the United States, and Solzhenitsyn was deported From Russia. Now, why is this last point relevant? Because, before Solzhenitsyn made it to the West, large numbers in the western intelligentsia had been pro-Soviet, going as far as denying the atrocities perpetrated in the name of communism. So, you can imagine, it took a talented Yugoslav director, and a visionary in many ways, to say it all in "Sweet Movie," as we all have come to witness at high speed as we entered the 1990s. Yes, hear from any former subject of (East European) socialism and "eating s*h*i*t" was an usual metaphor describing the official discourse. Yes, many young and idealist had been figuratively drawn in by the sugar of, and then devoured by, the Socialist Revolution orchestrated by Moscow. And, yes, here in the west, a lot from what we do is put a mask on things to sell more/better.

So, unless one can watch this film taking into account its context, Dusan Makavejev and his "Sweet Movie" will get maligned. Context accounted for, this is an important document that stands the test of time and art. Yes, this can be art, the type that calls for attention not to itself but to the greater dangers we face as society at one point or another. Scatology is a means to militant art. In fact, Makavejev turns scatology into eschatology, and so should the viewer.

Movie Review: Disturbingly erotic and erotically disturbing...
Summary: 5 Stars

Sweet Movie is like the crack baby of Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom - Criterion Collection and Pink Flamingos. With such a surreal quality to it, Sweet Movie keeps you glued to the screen no matter how disturbing the subject matter may be. Interlaced between all of Sweet Movie's disturbing images are stock footage of Nazi medical experimentation which blur the lines of the movie's fictional degredation with real life human barbarianism, which takes away the ability to say its just a movie.
Before giving the impression that Sweet Movie is a pure exploitation film with the singular goal of offending the viewer's senses, I must add that it is at the same time a powerful and beautiful film, with bizarre imagery and situations. But it is still pretty messed up.
I recommend this movie to anyone with a strong stomache and an interest in arthouse/exploitation cimema. And if the content in the movie doesn't bother you, like some reviewers have noted, then congratulations, you've reached a greater point of desensitization than I have.

Movie Review: Excess
Summary: 3 Stars

When I saw "Montenegro" all those years ago, it never really occurred to me that such a fantastic, idiosyncratic, and mysterious movie would actually come from a director that made other movies, too. It's just one of those things where each movie seems so ultimately different that it isn't feasible that there could be more of the same.

"Sweet Movie", to put it quite simply, is about excess. It's the story of two women, one a psychotic roaming candy-making pedophile boat woman, the other a delicate model/constant victim of sexual faux pas and impotency. The movie is filled with food, sex, and the gore that comes from food and sex. As the victimized woman finds herself in increasingly ridiculous situations and the psychotic woman puts people in others, many forms of abject art (revulsion/attraction, spewing and eating, killing and fornicating) keep a loaded bullet to the face of the viewer, mixed of course with a fair share of political asides and cultural themes (such as this: the fact that religious people appear scattered throughout the movie and are no more surprised by the activities of the characters than anyone else).

This movie falls squarely between something you'd expect from Alejandro Jodorowsky and Juzo Atami. Unlike Jodorowsky's work, however, the symbolism has a lot of weight, and unlike Atami, there's a lot more ambiguity. Dusan Makavejev is one of the most post-modern filmmakers out there, constantly asking questions that previously didn't exist, and then proving that there's no answer to them. This movie comes closer to a strong theme than "Montenegro", but it's full of a lot of self-awareness that purposefully deconstructs the very notion of "theme". (A Mariachi singer in Paris is filmed, and through distraction is shown to be lip-syncing. Later in the film he's actually supposed to be singing--and again is shown to be lip-syncing.)

In the end, it's hard to know what exactly to feel about this movie, minus revulsion for those of weak stomachs. It's both beautiful and intensely repulsive, which is a feat in either direction.

--PolarisDiB

Movie Review: Was going to purchase "Changed my mind" ...
Summary: 1 Stars

So i've been so curious lately on all of these films i had never really heard of before. I currently have 9 songs, Lie with me, Shortbus, Anatomy of Hell and The dreamers. Just recently purchased Salo and Fat girl. Only because i enjoy watching odd films at times.

I have been highly considering the purchase of "Sweet Movie" until now.

I read someone's 3 star review stating there is "emetophilia" in this movie ... i have a severe phobia with vomit, and something i would never want to purposely watch, especially in this manner.

How disgusting and Sick.

I do Thank that reviewer so very much for mentioning this and saving my money.

Thank you !!!

Movie Review: huh ?????
Summary: 1 Stars

I'm not sure what the people who reviewed this movie before me saw but watching this was just 90 min or so of my life that I will never get back
It is a total waste on every level
Do yourself a favor. Instead of watching this just go hit your head against a wall. It will take less time to get the same results

Write your own review

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