W.R. — Mysteries of the Organism (Makaejev, 1971): BFI Southbank, NFT3, 8.45pm
Here is the BFI introduction to the event: This surrealist, experimental art-house classic by Dušan Makavejev
cross-pollinates a variety of different filmmaking materials and
techniques: actuality, narrative, found footage and re-enactment. Its
groundbreaking qualities are not limited to stylistics, however. It also
explores the links between sexual politics and Communism via the
theories of controversial psychologist Wilhelm Reich (also discussed in
Adam Curtis’s The Century of the Self) and the fictional seduction of a
Soviet ice-skater. Through montage, Makavejev boldly suggests that an
emancipation of sexuality is required on top of any changes in politics
and economics, if there is to be true revolution. The film was banned in
the director’s native country.
Introduced by Maria Cruz, film programmer and visiting lecturer at Kingston University
Chicago Reader review: 'We may forget that the most radical rethinking of Marx and Freud found
in European cinema of the late 60s and early 70s came from the east
rather than the west. Indeed, it's hard to think of a headier mix of
fiction and nonfiction, or sex and politics, than this brilliant 1971
Yugoslav feature by Dusan Makavejev, which juxtaposes a bold Serbian
narrative shot in 35-millimeter with funky New York street theater and
documentary shot in 16. The "WR" is controversial sexual theorist
Wilhelm Reich and the "mysteries" involve Joseph Stalin as an erotic
figure in propaganda movies, Tuli Kupferberg of the Fugs "killing for
peace" as he runs around New York City with a phony gun, and drag queen
Jackie Curtis and plaster caster Nancy Godfrey pursuing their own
versions of sexual freedom.'
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Here is an extract.
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