Review of Woman in the Dunes (1964) by Jared F — 24 Apr 2007
A deeply sexual and hypnotic film.
There's a running theme of corruption. A juxtaposition, in that regard, of modern life with the destructive capabilities of modern civilization. Throughout we hear repeated the phrase that sand attracts water to which the protagonist scoffs, pointing that sand is an inherently dry substance. The water seeps and destroys while the sand crushes and buries the house. Similarly modern civilization attracts complications--it's those complications that our protagonist seeks to momentarily escape from at the unset of the tale--they attract water.
The sand does attract water and he can't just leave it--it's a cyclic and futile struggle but it allows him to continue living. And that's exactly what life is--cyclic and futile--but it pays the bills.
Ok, that philosophical stuff aside, on to the visual nature of the film.
First thing's first--I was rather taken aback by how dark the print was. Many shots were entirely under-exposed. Or were they? There was a trailer at the end of the film that had many of the shots from the film that I felt had questionably dark exposures--they weren't dark at all in the trailer. So therefore I believe I saw a poor print of the film. I read that Criterion now has the rights to this picture and that they are going to release a copy in the near future. If that's the case, I will surely invest. This film is beautifully composed--the print I saw was awful and didn't do justice.
What's most notable about the composition is the way in which director, Hiroshi Teshigahara integrated moisture and the sand--the sand becomes as important and outspoken as any of the film's characters. More-so even as they are visual metaphors for the corruption spoken of earlier.
Interesting to note too is the sexual relationship that develops in the film. He resigns himself to his fate with this woman despite or perhaps because of his situation. That sexual relationship spawns a child--it's all cyclical.
Eh... perhaps this was coherent. If not, I apologize. It's 5 am now and I'm going to sleep.
This review of Woman in the Dunes (1964) was written by Jared F on 24 Apr 2007.
Woman in the Dunes has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
