Dreaming of Roosters at the Film Forum
This weekend begins a two week run of the surrealist classic, Los Olvidados (1950) at Film Forum. Directed by Mexican Spanish director Luis Buñuel, a filmmaker known more for his work done in France (like L'Age d'Or, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, and Un Chien Andalou) than in his native country, this picture displays an auteur at the height of his stylistic powers. The story of a gang of youths wandering the streets of Mexico City picking fights, snatching purses and dreaming of crowing roosters and raw meat. It's rough and weird and wonderful, all at the same time.
Pauline Kael said, "Buñuel makes you understand the pornography of brutality: the pornography is in what human beings are capable of doing to other human beings."
J Hoberman says, "Los Olvidados is strong enough to make a hardened Communist cry or drive a (true) Christian to despair. The title is in part ironic: Once seen, this movie can never be forgotten."
In a new 35 mm print, previously Los Olvidados was tough to see in good condition and is not available on DVD. Therefore consider it your New York movie lovin' duty to see these difficult to find movies at great reperatory theaters like Film Forum, so that they can continue to bring new film prints to us. Ok, enough with our cinephilic soapbox, just go to the movie already.
