I recently watched two movies in which the directors introduced the films. Both were disclaimers of sorts. One professed that his film was not art, while the other predicted that many would not like his work. I admit to enjoying both pieces of art very much, and dually recommend them here.

Lunacy

Jan Svankmajer’s Lunacy is inspired by the motifs of Edgar Allan Poe and the Marquis de Sade. In keeping with his legacy of work, Svankmajer includes many animated sequences throughout. As a matter of fact, I would be hard pressed to recall seeing more animated raw meat.

Dark subjects aside, Lunacy is not as mean spirited as one might think. It is surreal and almost nonsensical at times. And it is quite simply another great work from the finest of Czech filmmakers.

Tideland

Terry Gilliam’s Tideland is a salute to children’s resilience. He reminds us that kids find ways to cope and survive through the use of their imaginations. The subject matter and the off-axis camerawork seem intent on evoking feelings of uneasiness. Yet, the opportunity to reconnect to a childhood mentality is worth the journey. The young actress gives a stellar performance, and Tideland really pays off with a great ending.

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