Review of Un Chien Andalou (1929) by Dimitrisfl D — 29 Jun 2013

I found out earlier today that this classic is surprisingly short (runs about 17 min) so I decided to check it out immediately.

It was no mistake. However, I'm not enough of a film nerd (yet) to truly appreciate it. Well, even I see the surrealist style, its imaginative and controversial visuals and groundbreaking narrative, editing and cinematography but it's flawed. I don't have much experience with black and white films especially from the silent era but it's totally overexposed in my opinion. I also don't like these weird Lynch-like attitudes of films whose only premise seems to be confusion and so opens its door for (mis)interpretation.

I guess nobody can really tell what it's about but maybe that's the essential part and fuss about it.

EDIT: We watched that in class - so about four hundred people at once - on a big big screen, and it made a completely different impression on me. I still doubt that anyone could tell what it's about but that's not the point.

Not only is it technically groundbreaking but the vast symbolism is just something you have to appreciate as a film stud. I gave it 80% for the moment but I think whenever I revisit it, I'll grow with it - the sky's the limit here.