One has to admire how many cliches Jarman packs in: cameo of African as beast, mutilated Idiot as grotesque bully, slaughtering of animals as symbolic of Male energy in this ogling - clearly even though admirers may call it examination the camera ogled - at male sexual aggression. But I resented being dragged through near 90 minutes of someone else's wet dream. Or maybe it is just that Jarman is just not for me.
i think your revulsion is alright; on the other hand, as the recent death of Jesus Franco suggests, there is a submerged iceberg of film that lies in, as you might say, other folks wet dreams. I don't care for Jarman's (although I thin his late work is very strong), although the fact that others might does mean something. although in the long run, perhaps not that much.
I tried to give Jarman a fair trial, because one of my friends who I respect a lot loves him. I tried Last of England, Caravaggio and this one and did not like any of them. I am going to see Blue and if I dont like it just give up and maybe return in a couple of years because as you said "although the fact that others might does mean something". Funny you should mention Franco. I was just going to watch a movie or two of his...have never seen any of them...Virgin in the Land of Living is streaming free on Netflix so might see that. Will have to see Count Dracula . - its so connected to Cuadecuc. Any else you would recommend?
blue, wittgenstein, and the garden are my favorite jarmans but if caravaggio doesn't do anything for you i might just shrug my shoulders and walk away. all of the franco titles on netflix are a little dicey but 'female vampire,' is probably, for better or worse, the most representative title there. Vigin and Count Dracula (Portabella connection aside) are both pretty dull films, all in all.
Hey thanks! Im going to see female vampire now. what about among the ones NOT on netflix streaming. Any worth seeing? My favourite life of an artist movie is Chronicle of Anna Magadalena so maybe you see the disjunction between that and Jarman ;)
Jarman's debut was a homoerotic take on the St. Sebastiane martyrdom shot in Sardinia with spoken Latin. Audacious and cinematic though lacking in much visual finesse. Eno's score adds a certain other worldliness to the proceedings. Decidedlly not for all tastes but worth the effort. Jarman's ongoing career would bring many fine films that better stand the test of time.
Derek Jarman exposed the homoerotic undercurrents of Hollywood's Biblical epics in his raucous debut feature which recounts the tale of Saint Sebastian, a Christian soldier who refused to fight, and was put to death despite falling into the commanding officer's romantic favor. Essentially an unapologetic piece of gay erotica, the film is an energetic, if ultimately aimless, exercise in cinematic style.
could it be worse? a 4/10 my review: http://lasttimeisawdotcom.wordpress.com/2012/06/19/last-film-i-saw-sebastiane/
Jarman has a knack for adding incongruous elements in his films (trains in Caravaggio anyone?) so the historically accurate questions are not important. But, my oh my, this is a great film. The cinematography is one of the best I have seen. The blocking and compositions in the last scene is immaculate. Sebastiane's performance bothered me a bit. I suppose that's the worst part, but it is not a deal breaker.
Many elements of the film; the screenplay, sound, music, and performances, directing, editing are all incredible. I loved the atmosphere and mood created. Not a traditional queer film (maybe except for the gratuitous nude scenes, but even those don't feel forced), but then again, no art film usually is.
I was bitterly ashamed of my tiny willy until I saw Sebastiane. Who knew ancient Romans had such small peckers?
Definitely interesting and has great potential somehow lack of something though
