I watched this film years ago and never fully grasped how special it was. This could probably be attributed to the movie being so dreamy that my mind drifted away, occupied thinking of other things. I watched it again recently, this time completely immersed with the picture, soundscape, music and narration of the film. Only then did I realise what a uniquely immersive experience it is. I would equate it to sitting down by a fireplace on a winter night accompanied by a hot coffee and a middle aged man recalling his childhood memories and stories of his hometown. In other words the movie was very cozy.
Guy Maddin stated that he wanted to make this film to mythologize his hometown and make it larger than life, and I would say he did just that. There were points in the film where I totally believed the lie and accepted it as facts, only to find out It was fabricated or greatly exaggerated. The blend of truth and fabrication blurs the line of what truly is real, and much of his childhood stories we can never really know if any of them even happened, we just have to accept them as the truth.
The film was also surprisingly relatable, even though I've never stepped foot on north american soil, I relate to the idea of wanting to leave my hometown and explore the wider world while simultaneously feeling a deep-rooted attachment and nostalgia for the familiar.
I began to wonder how I could bring my own hometown to life on the screen. What quirks, local legends, and personal recollections could I embellish to capture its essence. Truly a special film.
Guy Maddin stated that he wanted to make this film to mythologize his hometown and make it larger than life, and I would say he did just that. There were points in the film where I totally believed the lie and accepted it as facts, only to find out It was fabricated or greatly exaggerated. The blend of truth and fabrication blurs the line of what truly is real, and much of his childhood stories we can never really know if any of them even happened, we just have to accept them as the truth.
The film was also surprisingly relatable, even though I've never stepped foot on north american soil, I relate to the idea of wanting to leave my hometown and explore the wider world while simultaneously feeling a deep-rooted attachment and nostalgia for the familiar.
I began to wonder how I could bring my own hometown to life on the screen. What quirks, local legends, and personal recollections could I embellish to capture its essence. Truly a special film.