The appreciation of film can surpass mere ventures into the realm of foreign and independent works. Once in a while it is nice to broaden our experiences even further through experimental and surreal films. These efforts often have the ability to effect our subconscious and touch us on different levels.

A seemingly nonsensical action can suddenly trigger a distant memory or familiar feeling. Processing the abstract can be eerie at times, but can also be very rewarding. For the two films I am recommending, please wait ’till nightfall and turn out all of the lights.

Eraserhead

Eraserhead is David Lynch’s first feature-length film. With a sparse 20-page script he received a student grant from the American Film Institute in 1971, and was supposed to have it completed within two years. The landmark film was released in 1977 and became an instant cult classic. No one ever forgets having seen Eraserhead. Almost every surreal black and white film invariably gets compared to this masterpiece. Alan Splet’s superb sound design was the first of it’s kind. To get the full effect of the discomforting earthy and industrial sound backdrop, you may want to rent a copy on VHS. The DVD release has been digitally “cleaned up,” and you may consciously become over-aware of it. Additionally, the film creates mood and conveys atmosphere with meticulous lighting, special effects and great performances.

Begotten

Like Eraserhead, E. Elias Merhige’s Begotten was made with painstaking detail. The film was shot with his experimental theater troupe on black and white reversal film. Every frame was then re-photographed and worked with individually. It was claimed that for every minute of actual film time, he spent ten hours in post. Begotten is very grainy, which makes it seem ambiguous at times. If you think you are witnessing something happening, then I would say you probably are. The film is silent except for the soundtrack, which mostly consists of crickets chirping. It opens with a representation of God violently committing suicide, and a Mother Earth figure giving birth to his child. The mother and child are met by a group dressed in robes who drag and torture them through a post apocalyptic looking wasteland. The movie is extremely violent and seemingly bleak in it’s world view, but is also quite an achievement for cinema.

Until next time, I hope you have a great viewing experience. Comments are welcomed at cinespire@gmail.com.