Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Daisies (1966)

Daisies • Sedmikrásky (1966)

Czech New Wave
Genre: Comedy • Drama
Director: Vera Chytilová
Starring: Ivana Karbanová, Jitka Cerhová
Language: Czech
Duration: 73 min.
Rating: 9.0  

Summary:
Two young women, both named Marie, revolt against a degenerate, decayed and oppressive society, attacking symbols of wealth and bourgeois culture.



Daisies is a film written and directed by Czechoslovak New Wave filmmaker Vera Chytilová. It was released in its home country in late 1966 but banned following the Prague Spring.

This is a chaotic, hilarious, and delightful film that takes full advantage of the window of freedom allotted to Chytilová and her fellow directors at the time. It completely obliterates all of the political, as well as the cinematic rules, and emerges as a stunning artistic statement with a lasting impact and influence, which can be seen in the works of Jacques Rivette, to the New French Extremity, and even MTV.

Daisies • Sedmikrásky (1966)

There isn't really a story to Daisies as much as a concept, two young women both named Marie, played by Ivana Karbanová and Jitka Cerhová, One blonde and wearing a signature crown of daisies around her head, the other a brunette with childish pigtails, while out sunbathing one day decide that since the entire world has become spoiled, so too will they be spoiled. So out into the world they go, incessantly playing silly pranks and laying waste to everyone and everything they encounter; and what fun it is to watch these two mischievous girls constantly trash the place and get away with it.

Chytilová uses a number of innovative, avant-garde techniques to help create this atmosphere of total freedom and spontaneity. Jump cutting from one place to another with no warning or explanation, splicing in clips of stock footage, using various colored filters, switching from color to black and white in the middle of a scene. All things that music video directors would repeat ad nauseam twenty years later.

There is a fair amount of violence too, both shown and implied. The two Maries destroy their apartment like rock-stars, setting it ablaze, while they dance around and jump on their bed with glee. They then proceed to symbolically emasculate a jilted male lover who phones, setting down the handset and then skewering and cutting up an assorted array of phallic shaped foods with long bladed scissors while his pathetic pleas go ignored. It does make me wonder if Virginie Despentes or Lars von Trier have seen this film.

Daisies • Sedmikrásky (1966)

Their actions finally culminate when they find themselves in a lavish banquet hall, with no one around and a large inviting table full of food in front of them, they proceed to shamelessly gorge themselves leaving no dish unmolested and then completely smash every plate, bottle, and wine glass in an epic food fight. Until finally they climb atop and swing joyfully from the crystal chandelier hanging above. They are then presumably apprehended, threatened with severe punishment, and given a chance to repent for their actions, but can they ever go back to being good girls again?

Daisies is a compact (72 minutes) bundle of infectious anarchistic energy, a glorious film so unlike anything else from that time. It incites and provokes, but most importantly it entertains so beautifully and brilliantly. An instant favorite.

Also check out Lisa's, Michaël's, or Shubhajit's recent excellent reviews of this classic.

Bonjour Tristesse

Daisies • Sedmikrásky (1966)

Daisies • Sedmikrásky (1966)

Daisies • Sedmikrásky (1966)

Daisies • Sedmikrásky (1966)

Daisies • Sedmikrásky (1966)

Daisies • Sedmikrásky (1966)

Daisies • Sedmikrásky (1966)

Daisies • Sedmikrásky (1966)

16 comments:

FrontRoomCinema said...

Looks bonkers, yet very pretty. Who is the brunette she is lovely

Christine said...

This looks and sounds brilliant!  I'll have to try to find it.  

The Angry Lurker said...

It sounds like a feel good movie that would raise your spirits by watching it...

Michaël Parent said...

Thank you for the link Bonjour Tristesse! Very appreciated! You've done an excellent job you too! The images of the movie are still stuck into my head I think it will definitely become a personal cult film. Even if they look a little dated, the visuals are very interesting. I agree with your mention of Coup de coeur; it was one for me too!

Lisa Thatcher said...

WHAT A film, and what a great review! This is easily a film in my top five of all time - I just love it. The way it plays with cinema technique - in the narrative as well as stylistically. Simply because of its lack of compromise, unashamed rampart intelligent symbolism and unique world view (told to perfection) this is possibly the most underrated film of all time.  It is shamefully missing from the 'best ever' lists.
Your review is wonderful BT.  I love the reactions from your readers below - it looks like this brilliant film will get some more views.

Lisa Thatcher said...

PS - I really liked your MTV reference.  I hadn't seen that before but you're damn right!  This film is SO ahead of its time - of any time. That gives me a lot of food for thought.  thanks again.

The Angry Vegetarian said...

Sounds/looks very good. Off to watch it right now. 

And I hope you know I mean it when I say things like that. I actually go out and watch films you review here, which is a big deal to me. 

d_4 said...

Short fun watch? I'm totally up for this. I think I'll enjoy!

Bonjour Tristesse said...

 That's Jitka Cerhová and I believe this was her only significant film role.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

 Indeed you must! :)

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yes, but it doesn't do so with corny emotional drama. It makes you feel good even though you really shouldn't, through images of inappropriate and aberrant behavior..

Bonjour Tristesse said...

You're welcome, and I'm glad you agree. Films like this are so rare, I love when I uncover them.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I think the problem is not enough people have even heard of it. Even though Second Run's DVD came out in 2009. I myself only discovered it a couple months ago. Now that Criterion has also included it in their recent Pearls of the Czech New Wave box set, that should help quite a bit as well.

Yes I do love it when I inspire a reader to watch something like this. Make's me feel like my blogging is worthwhile.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thank you TAV, I am very happy to hear you say that.  It is a big deal for me too, and comments like this make my day. :)

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I'm glad you agree on that point. There are a couple shots that reminded me of Stan Brakhage's work too, what appeared to be etched and scratched negatives, but I'm not sure who came up with that first.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I think you'll enjoy it too. It's got a real punk attitude to it.

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