Every now and then, through the magic of DVD, I discover a director who I knew nothing about, but who's films are absolutely astounding. This is the case with Harry Kumel, the Flemish surrealist who directed two masterpieces circa 1971. The first was Daughters of Darkness, a modern take on the Elizabeth Bathory legend starring Delphine Seyrig (Last Year at Marienbad). The film combined elements of melodrama, surrealism, horror and erotica. It was exquisitely shot and the performances were sublime.

Last week Barrel Entertainment released his other masterpiece, Malpertuis. Based on a novel by fantasy author Jean Ray, the film stars Orson Welles in a typical Wellesian role, but that's the only predictable aspect about the film. The screen is filled with one surreal image after another as if Bunuel and Jodorowsky got together to direct a radical version of The Tempest.

Here's the plot: an old scientist, Cassavius, (Orson Welles) has travelled to an abandoned island where the ancient Greek gods await their ultimate demise. Instead of letting them stay out their fate, however, he decides to entrap them in human bodies, forcing them to live a bourgeois life in his large mansion, Malpertuis. Enter Jan, an cherubic young sailor getting off shore leave who after a bar fight, awakens in this mysterious house only to discover that his uncle Cassavius has been planning his arrival intently.

Many dream-like sequences ensue backed up by bravura camera work from Gerry Fisher. The plot never entirely comes together, but manages not to fall apart. The storyline is secondary anyway to the magnificent sets and camera effects. Another treat is to watch Susan Hampshire portray four roles in a part that was originally intended for Catherine Deneuve.

The fact is they just don't make movies like this anymore (unless you count The Cell). Even recent surreal attempts such as The Fountain and Inland Empire enjoy a harsh public and critical backlash for being "confusing." It appears people want all the answers to enjoy a film these days or they would rather watch grainy videos of mid-twenty somethings surviving the harsh terrain of post-graduation. But for those of us that like interpreting challenging imagery, this film is highly recommended.

Barrel Entertaiment went all out with a 2-disc set of the film which retails at $29.95. The first disc includes a newly restored, high-definition director's cut with optional commentary by Kumel. It also includes some interesting outtakes with Orson Welles and interviews with Susan Hampshire. The second disc includes the Cannes cut of the film which runs some twenty minutes shorter (as ordered by the studio) and features an english dub. The second disc also includes a career-length interview with Kumel and a small documentary on Jean Ray. The liner notes are also worthy of a look with an interesting piece by Kumel expert David del Valle.

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# posted by Benjamin Crossley-Marra @ 8/10/2007 02:45:00 PM

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