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I actually got Cold Souls on my laptop off a friend but haven't watched it yet, he has recommended it to though but you know the dilemma "So many film so little time" I'll prioritise it.
You're a lucky guy having yet to watch Noe's other two features...or possibly unlucky who knows, they are not the easy films but exhilarating nonetheless.
"Irreversible" & "I Stand Alone" are both excellent in my opinion, especially the former which as James already mentioned. Love or hate them, the experiences will stick with you.
The only other thing I saw from him is a segment in the art film "Destricted" which is (as IMDb puts it) "A compilation of erotic films intended to illuminate the points where art meets sexuality" Very random stuff indeed with Noe's contribution being particularly difficult to endure.
Finally got to see this at Film Festival recently...
First off, Wow, what an experience. As one critic said, the camera literally goes where you haven't seen it go before. Technically speaking, it’s extremely innovative, daring and accomplished. Once again, Noe takes us on an experience quite unlike any other film I've seen, possibly ever. Whether that experience is wholly enjoyable or entertaining is another thing.
Without spoiling the film's story we begin as the main character's (Oscar) eyes, the camera is him essentially (down to the screen blinking occasionally) while later on we assume the role of (presumably) his soul as he floats about, switching back and forth between past and present situations with his sister, friends, clients, etc. Through these flashbacks and omnipresent device we get an idea of their intense brother/sister relationship, their turbulent, tragic history and the current state of their lives in Tokyo both before and after the central "event" in the film.
I don't want to give away any more of the plot instead just say that the visuals are truly amazing. One can see why Noe would pick the garish, multi coloured neon infused street of Tokyo to film this head scrambling trip. About 10 minutes in Oscar smokes a very potent drug DMV and descends into images and computer graphics similar to that of the itunes visualiser, moving to what seems like different parts of his body, the tendril, spindly colours and shapes representing (at least for me) different working organs, the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, etc.
While the technical proficiency and visual impact of the film is unquestionable the plot’s pacing is rather plodding and slow at times. Memories are repeated time and time again to the point of tedium and considering I only saw a 2 hour cut, as opposed to the 154 & 161 minutes cuts (depending on the frame speed) I can see why some who saw those versions found it baggy, bloated and “difficult” to get through but that's not to say that I wouldn't like to see those versions once the DVD becomes available.
It’s definitely something that requires multiple viewings, there is a lot going on here and a lot to take in. I can see myself getting to grips with the actual story a lot more when I go back to it. Not that the story is overly complicated but I was frequently confused where we were time wise, I suspect it will hang together better next time as a single viewing left me disorientated and disjointed. Then again, I'd wager this is exactly what Noe was going for, Oscar is in purgatory, in limbo so we are too, confused, frustrated and ultimately powerless to alter the situations in front of us. Because if this, we become a spectator like Oscar, watching events unfold in a detached, aloof manner.
An acquired taste for sure, not perfect (on first viewing anyway) but certainly ballsy, brave and original. Moments of sheer beauty, sadness, frustration, insane drugged out sequences to graphic sex scenes, long silences and boredom. Tone wise it’s overtly depressing & nihilist , definitely not a date movie.
p.s The acting is patchy from Nathanial Brown but in his defence it’s his first film, however I thought Paz De La Heurta (Limits of Control) was superb and LOVES to take her clothes off
I recently got the chance to sit in on a screening of Enter the Void. It was the 140 minute cut of the film. I was technically entranced by the Noe's style and choreography. There is so much bravado in his work, its quite impressive to say the least. After a while though, the story really dragged for me. Much of the second act is a retread of the first act. Perhaps I would have enjoyed a shorter cut much better. As it is, this is something to be truly experienced. It got inside my head and I felt like I was traveling through my own brain at time. I wonder how this plays while under the influence. =p
E.D.
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I can't argue with the frustrated plot progression, Brett, it does seem to get caught in a loop but I wonder is this the director trying to evoke the feeling of being trapped in purgatory.
I forgot to mention the opening credit sequence, intense stuff. I loved the techno/drum & Bass inflected soundtrack too.
As for being under the influence, yeah, its definitely a "head" film, designed to arouse an intoxicated mind. I think it would be best to do your thing on the second or third watch though, you'd probably have a freak out if you went in trippin' on your first viewing. (sorry, I couldn't resist using that most appropriate emoticon!)
There is a very glaring reason why there is a lot of repetition in the movie (revisiting scenes) and its looping nature and it's plodding pace (well, because that's real life). It is ALL about the circle of life, death, and rebirth. He went from his life, to life review, to visiting family, to reincarnation, and I thought ALL these progressions were wonderfully filmed. I don't recall a sense of purgatory but of progressions of consciousness. There was definite parallels to "The Great Liberation by Hearing in the Intermediate States" or more famously known as "The Tibetan Book of the Dead".
I got my hands on the screenplay and it is not like any screenplay I have ever seen before, most notably the format.
Does anyone know when it is supposed to hit DVD? I can not wait for future viewings. It is definitely in the top 5 movies for 2010, for me anyway.
There is a very glaring reason why there is a lot of repetition in the movie (revisiting scenes) and its looping nature and it's plodding pace (well, because that's real life). It is ALL about the circle of life, death, and rebirth. He went from his life, to life review, to visiting family, to reincarnation, and I thought ALL these progressions were wonderfully filmed. I don't recall a sense of purgatory but of progressions of consciousness. There was definite parallels to "The Great Liberation by Hearing in the Intermediate States" or more famously known as "The Tibetan Book of the Dead".
-- Yes, The Circle of Life & reincarnation concepts are indisputable, they are laid down within the first 20 minutes via a very, one could say, expository explanation of the book by Alex as they descend the steps on the way to the deal. That is undeniably the underpinning theme of the film. I don't know about the 154/161 cut but the closing shot of the 2 hour version was the camera (as it did in many instances when transitioning scenes) zooming into Linda's aborted embryo (one the greatest closing shots of recent times, in my opinion) which for me was Oscar deciding to break this chain, by entering an expired vessel, a void if you will. Naturally, this is arguable, that's just my interpretation.
Where I got an impression of purgatory was during the life review parts which make up the bulk of the film. Oscar's memories take on a looping pattern time and again, repeating significant moments of his past the i.e. the crash, their pact at a young age, Linda being taken away to separate foster parents and their promise to one another in the field when older (still unsure if this one really happened) this, for me, indicated an "in limbo" quality to his after life experience which was why he chose to enter the embyro at the end, like he was making the choice to bail out, he had enough. Why? Possibly he was being punished for his life choices, the dealing, the self inflicted abuse through narcotics the and his general amoral lifestyle. For the record, I thought Oscar was in essence a good guy but not exactly someone to bring home to the parents, he was outta his mind most of his waking life. I'm not saying this is a conctrete theory, of course its debateable. Again, the primary theme was circle of life and reincarnation but working within that framework I detected an element of entrapment also. Further viewings will define and establish my opinions more solidly.
Does anyone know when it is supposed to hit DVD? I can not wait for future viewings. It is definitely in the top 5 movies for 2010, for me anyway.
-- I read somewhere around late January in the US and mid April in Europe. I too would have it in my top 5 easily, its a remarkable achievement on many levels.
I agree... I KNOW I need to watch this a few more times myself. I watched it when the IFC was airing it on cables "OnDemand" so I am unsure of what version I saw.
PM your email and I will shoot the script over to you.
Atmospheric. The best way for me to describe this film. It's incredibly light on story, so Noe fills the screen with disorienting and quite often uncomfortable visions. The scene where the main chap's sister has sex is one such scene and the climatic scene needs no introduction. There's a place for these type of experiences in film, but it makes you think more about the art of filmmaking than it does the soul of the story.
Whilst Noe's work is undoubtedly important, his work is for filmmakers, up their arse arty-types and stoners, more than your average person. Nothing wrong with that, but it's what makes my favourites like Kubrick, Hitchcock, PTA, Quentin Tarantino, Steven Spielberg etc more impressive filmmakers - they tell stories as well as providing engaging experiences. Noe just gives us experiences and quite deliberately opts out of conventional storytelling. He has an incredible eye for an image and his back catalogue is a must for any writer/filmmaker.