Review of Dogtooth (2009) by Matthew S — 01 Jul 2015
The meaning or meanings of Yorgos Lanthimos' Dogtooth are something of debate between those who love it. I love it.
I'm not sure that Yorgos Lanthimos had one clear meaning or meanings to express other than to explore a situation in which individual identity has been formed within the limited framework his/her environment creates.
In some ways it is almost cinematic metaphor for the fears and the needs for parents' determination to protect their children from the dangers and threats of the world to which they have been born.
No matter how you want to look at Dogtooth, it is a compelling, provocative, subversive and disturbing examination of a reality restricted, formed and subverted by another.
Surrealistic and almost absurdist in the way information is usually conveyed with deadpan precision. As "protection" and "defense" creep into profane and perverse choices -- one of the individual's decides to fully rebel without any real understanding of even the most minor aspects of life.
Environment, culture and society has found a full-proof way to render "rebellion" ineffectual.
An amazing work of art.
This review of Dogtooth (2009) was written by Matthew S on 01 Jul 2015.
Dogtooth has generally received positive reviews.
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