Daisies
Directed by Vera Chytilová
Written by Vera Chytilová
The review:
I’m not really your art-film gal,* but this was part of the Filmspotting Overlooked Auteurs Marathon, so watched it, I did. It was weird, but charming** and managed to stay charming even as the young women become more and more puckish.*** I’m never going to watch this again, and probably a lot of it went over my head, but unlike some films,**** I don’t regret my time spent.
The verdict: Good
Cost: Free, via YouTube (Another bonus. It was free and easy to find.)
Where watched: at home
Consider also watching:
- None of these are surreal or art-house-y, but they are long and without a lot of dialog
- Virgin Suicides
- Gerry
- American Honey
- Only Lovers Left Alive
Further sentences:
*I can indie drama with the best of them, and I like foreign films, but once surrealism and other arty things enter, I get impatient and wonder how much time is left. This was 75 minutes, so I knew I would make it through.
**One of the first scenes (pictured above) shows Jitka Cerhová and Ivana Karbanová talking about how bored they are. Each arm or head movement is accompanied by a squeak, as if their limbs need oiling. This was fun to watch. I recommend watching for just this scene.
***And I mean that in the rabble rousing, not-so-charming way, rather than the mildly irritating, yet amusing way.
****I’m looking at you, Once Upon a Time in America.
Questions:
- What’s the first thing you do after you watch a film that you don’t understand?
- In five years, which scene from this film do you think will stick with you?
Favorite IMDB trivia item:
Banned by Czech authorities upon its release for “depicting the wanton”.
(There is some not-subtle snipping of cylindrical objects that I’m sure had the censors crossing their legs. That was probably enough for the “wanton” designation.)
Other reviews of Daisies:
- Christina Newland, Little White Lies (This review provides a lot of context and I recommend you read it either before or after you watch)
- Richard S. He, Birth Movies, Death (also good for context)
