@Brother “but even more surprised that it stayed hidden for so long. Usually, if the subject of a mother’s identity is brought up, I would imagine that the loss of identity would last about as long as postpartum depression, then her face would return with the new identity of being a happy mother beaming as she played with her new infant”
I was surprised at that, the film’s recognition of this ongoing non person status being taken further into the future too as the mother sets the child then around five years old, adrift attached to balloons – bye bye now, I’ve go something else to do:):) That resonated with me! I also thought on the status of woman as nude, commerce of the corporeal matter of woman and remember thinking “hasn’t it ever been thus” but didn’t think too much about it in a metaphorical sense in the context of the film re freedom vs enslavement to roles and rituals. A lot has been made of womens’ entrapment but men have been just as ruthlessly obliged to tread weary paths pre-ordained for them …difference being, (and why their suffering is often seen as second tier in debates on the sorry lot of men and women throughout history) mostly the pre-ordaining was being done by their own gender.
There was a lot going on in Breakfast, it could easily be watched again.
I thought of the apples as a symbol of a humble yet precious thing in a world of lack, like the blankets and pears in Shoeshine
@Riss—Yes, the empty nest syndrome is also a rude awakening for some who have enmeshed their primary identity as a parent, only to have that identity removed at a certain age, leaving the mother/father adrift. All parents, but especially single parents must encounter lots of emotional hurdles, which should be talked about and why not inside of a good Estonian animation film? Seems as good a place as any.
Oddly, I noticed in the majority of review/critical blurts, that they lumped Breakfast on the Grass’ psychological sequences under a surrealist banner. Wouldn’t be my choice.
@Meg—Yes, someone could spend quite a bit of time and interesting study on what the Apples signify in Breakfast on the Grass. The assembly line bakery had a television playing to pacify the workers while they completed their dull jobs, and on the television was a big apple, which might point to its symbolism or significance as a consumerist goal, or desire (an obvious by-product of media and advertising); though I think I like your thoughts on it better.
Risselada
Great questions to think about Brother.
As for the mother losing her identity, I think this happens all the time. And while I’m not familiar with the causes behind post partum depression I think the more obvious kind of depress that comes from empty nest syndrome is the subsequent revelation of a mother putting her entire identity into her children to realize once they leave she feels like he own idenitity has also left.
The apples one was the most difficult one for me to follow. Heck, I’m not even sure I can remember which one that was? Was that the first episode? That one seemd so more more chaotic, or maybe it just took the brunt of my easing my way into the style and pace of the film.
As for your thoughts about the woman being the one nude one in the paiting it does stand out quite obviously and any rehotical nature of your questions seem to answer it for me. If you missed anything salient regarding this, it went right past me as well.