Pondering

[alexandral]

I have watched Herzog's “Aguirre, the Wrath of God “ yesterday. Awesome film. It was absolutely realistic in a “taken by hidden camera” sense and at the same time it was almost mystical and proverbial. From its opening scene of descending from the mountains I had a feeling as if I was transported into the screen. The film follows the story of search for mythical El Dorado by the Spanish expedition and the rise and madness of their leader Aguirre.

There were many things to ponder about in this film and many things I probably missed on the first viewing:

- The awesome and cruel power of nature. We live now in the day and age when we think we can harness our planet so well, but in reality we just pretend not to notice how small and weak we are still standing before the forces by nature. Tsunami, hurricanes, etc.!!

- There is a saying that humans get the leaders which they deserve. Not always true. But still –how come that hundreds and thousands of people can follow the mad man and the maniac? What happened to the eyes of millions of Russians when they were following Stalin?

- Cultural alienation and cultural pride. I am sure it is happening less and less now but still – How does it come about that “Western” people often have that feeling of cultural and almost moral superiority?



Crazy madman Aguirre:



EEEEEEEE! Monkeys!

Comments

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

It's a movie I've ben interested in seeing for a long time, but hadn't because it sounded so grim. This write-up is pushing me closer to the edge though...

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

This film was totally a brain changing experience for me. I think I am going to think about it and remember it in years to come.

EEEEE! THE ICON!

[nutmeg3.livejournal.com]

Aguirre is one of my favorite movies ever! It had such an impact on me when I first saw it - which was a million years ago when it first came out. (I also developed a mad crush on Klaus Kinski, who I saw in person in the lobby of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel many years later.) The final scene with the raft drifing downriver and mad Aguirre surrounded by the anarchy of the monkeys is absolutely indelible. I'm so glad you saw and enjoyed the film.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

The film is absolutely awesome. I have read some background information about Klaus Kinski - is it true that he was crazy whilst filming of "Aguirre"?

The Monkey scene is unbelievable. It made me think that we are just like that - scurrying, trying, but...

[nutmeg3.livejournal.com]

Apparently Klaus was a little crazy all the time, but I think it was during the filming of Aguirre that he pulled a gun on Herzog or Herzog pulled one on him or something like that. And then they got over it and kept on working together for years and years.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much for the information! This is just my opinion - a person must be a "borderline" in a way to create the works of art like this. There is a short story by Russian classic Gogol about it.

[lage-nom-ai.livejournal.com]

That movie is totally insane. And I kind of love that.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

O man! I have watched this film from yours and nutmeg3 recommendation and much say huge "Thank you". I still can't put my head around this film.

[teh-haley.livejournal.com]

I don't really know if people get the leaders they deserve, and as an italian person, I feel that italians were much divided during Mussolini's years, my grampa for example was a warrior of the so-called Resistance, and my country is still divided about this... I think also that in a period of huge ideological identities, people can have a strange behaviour, but also the world has changed a lot.
and what about Western? I'm reading a book, The Clash Of Civilizations, that tries to explan the development of the main civilizations in the world, when I'll finish it I'll tell you what I think, but I want to know more about the real history of our cultures before talking about it :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

my grampa for example was a warrior of the so-called Resistance, and my country is still divided about this

Wow! This is awesome! Russia in a way is still divided over Stalin's legacy too. For example, my parents and grandparents keep thinking that he was great because he made Russia strong. I don't understand it!!

I'm reading a book, The Clash Of Civilizations, that tries to explan the development of the main civilizations in the world, when I'll finish it I'll tell you what I think, but I want to know more about the real history of our cultures before talking about it :)

This will be great!

[teh-haley.livejournal.com]

Many people who are politically "on the left" took part in the so-called Resistance, but about Stalin I think that here in Italy there is awareness about he wasn't great, actually ;)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

It is a very sad fact for me, but though the younger generations and people affected by Stalin's regime know what a monstrous figure he was, some of the older people still remember him :(

[teh-haley.livejournal.com]

and that's why I think studying history and trying to understand politics is something that makes youg people aware of the past and prepared to te future.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

You are studying history! This is awesome! And you are very true in saying that we must learn our history to study from mistakes and tragedies and never repeat them in future. This is why though it breaks my heart I like reading about Stalinist times.

[teh-haley.livejournal.com]

I loved history since I was a child, and I'm studying International Relations at the University just because of my passion for history, people and politics to improve life and to understand world...probably I'm just a dreamer, but I think things can change!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

International Relations sounds very interesting and what you say about changing the world - if many people think the same, then everything is possible!

[ambergold.livejournal.com]

Huh. It sounds fascinating-I'm in a fabulous history class right now where I'm getting my brian filled with religion, worldviews, cultures, and early human development all the time(:D I love that feeling where I can practically feel my brain expanding)and this would go right into that mindframe...is it horribly depressing though? I can handle grim, but not depressing.(For some reason I'm fine with Schindler's List but can't handle Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Dont' ask me why)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

"Aguirre" is really fascinating in historical sense and very true - really gives the feel for South American history! It is grim , but probably rather in a way of "Schindler's List because I think one gets the feeling for what is going to happen from the very beginning..

It is definitely not sad film in a way of CTHD, though I always had my own ending for CTHD. I still think (seriously) that Jiao Long jumped because of the legend that Dark Cloud told her - that if one jumps from that bridge they can get their wish granted. So in my shippy and optimistic mind she jumped and wished that Li Mu Bai would come alive. And then he did and she floated down and both couples lived happily ever after. I know I am sad. :) But I can't help it.