Review of WR: Mysteries of the Organism (1971) by Meg D — 26 Aug 2007

I love the transition from the glowing/warping chandelier above Stalin's head (from Makavejev's "imrpoved" edited version) to the plaster of Paris penis-mold. I heard the director speak about making this movie in a half-empty auditorium at UC Berkeley.

The audience had the typical Berkeley mix, middle-aged hippies looking to relive their glory days, hip nonchalant-looking college kids probably there on some film class assignment, and then me, a bright-eyed prospective Berkeley student with my unsuspecting mother.

Makavejev explained that he had a lot of trouble with Tito during and after the production of this film, which makes me respect and admire him that much more. He was kicked out of the Yugoslav Communist Party after its release.

Anyway, try watching this movie with your mom and telling her you liked it. I stumbled into this movie not knowing what to expect and walked out still not quite understanding it but feeling somewhat liberated and absolutely loving it.