Tag: greece

Do we want an animal or a friend? “Dogtooth” (“Kynodontas”, 2009)

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directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
© 2009 Feelgood Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

There are those filmmakers that you cannot mistaken for anyone else. I mean, all you need is up to 10 minutes of their film and bang – you know exactly who made it. I believe that Yorgos Lanthimos is one of such directors, and if you’ve seen some of his works, you probably agree with me right now. However, as much as his films are indeed fascinating, I’m not his biggest fan. Still, his creativity and some kind of oddness intrigue me enough to keep watching new productions. Today’s film is a bit older, yet worth checking out since it may introduce you to Lanthimos’ style. In this story we get to meet a couple that are bringing up their three children. Sounds like a lovely family? Not in a Lanthimos film, darling. All the children are in fact adults and have never left their house as their parents want to protect them. The son and two daughters will be ready to leave only if they lose a dogtooth. In the meantime, their parents teach them strange things, incorrect meanings of words, they lie about the outside world and don’t let the children feel or act like adults. It’s their father who decides what they do, what they get punished for and what is worth praising. The problem begins when the woman that was paid by the father to have sex with his son brings things and knowledge from the outside world. The siblings start wondering what’s really on the other side of the fence. If the description seems insane, then you’re getting the idea what you might expect from this production. It’s a psychological drama that doesn’t explain much, yet bombs you with millions of questions. There are numerous interpretations of the story and I might agree with some of them, yet I believe I have my own, which I’m sharing now so *SPOILERS ALERT*. To me, this is a story about parenthood and its consequences. Generally, parents want to raise their children to be safe, to be happy, but also to meet the parents’ expectations, respect their rules and values, or even follow an already chosen path. Lanthimos style might be very controversial, but I see the point he was trying to make (or I believe he was): some parents mistaken raising children for training dogs, as harsh as it sounds. Let me explain: a dog is about to be your companion for about 10-12 years, he/she will stay with you, follow your daily schedule, adapt to your lifestyle and never leave you. Children, however, are meant to be prepared for the outside world, no matter how much you want them to be like you. And no matter how strict or consistent you are as a parent, the child will break at some point, sooner or later. Just like with that dogtooth from the story – the father knew that adults don’t normally lose these teeth, so it’s rather sure that his children will stay with him forever. But what if the child decides to get rid of the metaphorical tooth themselves? This is exactly how I read this story, but you’re more than welcome to have another idea. The best part about Lanthimos films is that there’s for sure no one answer to anything.

My rating: 6/10
S.

Making money, honey. “Queen of the Deuce” (2022)

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directed by Valerie Kontakos
© 2022 Canada Media Fund (CMF). All Rights Reserved.

Who doesn’t watch porn? But how many of us would go to the cinema to see a porn film? Nowadays, not sure, but about 50 years go it was a big deal. Today, I’d like to recommend you a rather short and concrete documentary about Chelly Wilson, who was a fun lady indeed. She was of Greek origins and nothing indicated her future career. She got married (unwillingly), had children, and was supposed to be a decent mommy at home. But it’s not for Chelly. She decided to pack her bags and go to New York, where she rented a movie theatre and started screening international films. She was doing so to support her home country and raise money for the good cause. At some point she was also screening Greek productions to popularise them in the USA. Lovely, right? And here comes the spicy part. In the 60s, Chelly chose a different path and started producing and screening films for adults. And for more details, you need to see the film yourselves. I personally enjoyed learning about Chelly and her life because she must have been a really unique and strong woman. Not sure I’d be able to do what she did back then, yet she did that with a cigarette in her mouth. About her cinema – it’s fascinating to me that it wasn’t presented as a place for degenerates or sex addicts, but as a spot for a certain community to gather, meet, get to know each other and simply have fun. Chelly didn’t only started a cinema – she built a house for those who needed understanding, support and company. Obviously, she was also doing it for money, because every business is there for making money – pretty clear. Still, she could have chosen a different path. Maybe starting a bakery? But nah, let’s buy a cinema and screen porn, shall we? And I love such energy. I hadn’t known about Chelly before watching, so this documentary let me learn something new and perhaps find some inspiration. Maybe those ridiculous ideas that we sometimes have in mind are not meant to stay in our imagination only? How cool it would be if we all just let them be. Anyway, enjoy learning about this Greek Queen that brought happiness and satisfaction to New York.

My rating: 6/10
S.