Movie Review: Begotten (1991)

My take on E. Elias's debut film

[@dannydontgoin237]

I like Begotten. I agree the "plot" is extremely obscure. The movie it most reminds me of is Un Chien Andalou. I think it is an open-to-interpretation collection of nightmare imagery meant more to create a mood than anything else, with just enough symbolism to get you thinking. Though Chien is a goof (as was admitted by Bunuel and Dali), Begotten has more of a thematic point to it. I see where you're coming from (yes, it is slow and repetitive), but I really enjoyed it as an exercise in surrealism.

[@Goonkendall]

spot on

[@TheLiveRevolutionary]

@gladspookyful but i did mention that, even in the standards of an experimental symbolic film, it failed. again, my point was that it failed with both standards; those the fans had given it (which were inaccurate) and as a symbolic experimental film.

[@TheLiveRevolutionary]

Sorry about the dogs. I didn't notice while I was recording. "In the zone", as it were.

[@TheLiveRevolutionary]

@Temple00011 My problem with the movie was not that it had too much "meaning" or "symbolism." (those aren't sarcastic quotes, just saying)
My problem is that the symbolism is too difficult to interpret, even for one such as myself, who prides himself on being a bit above-average in the ways of understanding symbolism in books and films.
The concept is the heart of the film. It's good to want to hide a bit of it, so it doesn't seem in-your-face. (see: Micheal Bay.)
This is the art of subtlety.

[@xdraygul5169]

"Begotten" is consistently enjoyed a lot more by people who do a lot of reading, particularly of the classics. The plot isn't obscure at all for people who are well read and understand general abrahamic religious and cultural symbolism.

[@Agrippa31BC]

Even though I'm a pious Christian, I could understand/enjoy the film. It's an interesting take on the Abrahamic Creation narrative.

[@TheLiveRevolutionary]

@seelangay thank you, i'm glad you enjoyed the review.

[@TheLiveRevolutionary]

@MultiUniv3rsal I'm a big Manson fan, and after watching this, I did notice a startling similarity between this and that video. Though, I never really bothered to look into it further. Thanks for pointing that out (:

[@Nanoc.]

Im actually glad the dogs were there, my imagination was still running wild after watching the movie, and your dogs were a pretty good way of relieving some of the serious tension I was feeling lol

[@Featheon]

I think the relevant question that is raised by this line of criticism is: If a short synopsis of the film's narrative has more impact and social function to an audience than the actual work itself, then why should one even bother with the artwork at all?

[@TheLiveRevolutionary]

@gladspookyful it was more of a criticism of those who had praised it as an underground horror legend, as i stated in the video.

[@TheLiveRevolutionary]

@Temple00011 My point is, you can't make the concept completely obscure. Some of it has got to be out in the open, so people can see it. That's how you begin to interpret the deeper stuff; you start from the obvious, then work your way in.

[@someghosts]

Great dissection of the film from both Jay and his dog.

[@Nanoc.]

@TheLiveRevolutionary I don't know, its just me I guess. Most of the time I have tendencies to remember those kind of disturbing images after witnessing something scary and it kinda' sticks in my brain for some time. Anyway, nice review, it helped lots in analysing the symbolisms of the film

[@0Vuuk0]

The movie was Elias's vision of the story of Genesis.

[@CatLovesMakeup]

Someone's uploaded it onto youtube, but I just can't watch it. It scares me. Great Review x

[@filmrolled]

The visual style of storytelling was any experimental film lover's dream, but some of the shots were hard to follow and thus made a misleading conception of what was happening or how and where the story itself was going. There would be times where the black and white effect was too heavy and the image got fuzzy and unwatchable. Other times (as you mentioned) the symbolism would be incredibly vague. I had to actually go to Wikipedia just to find out the basic storyline.

[@hombreg1]

"the truth is revealed to those who dare to dwell deep into the maw of the beast" but then, you can only go so far, i mean, it's ok to cypher a film, to make it difficult to understand because that will force the viewer into understanding it but if you cypher it too hard, your viewer will get nothing from the film and the film itself will be useless. that's why i adore tarr's films.

[@TheLiveRevolutionary]

@LazyBumFilmObsessor exactly my point. thank you.

[@signore1043]

I think you need to rehearse your presentation before you take to reviewing. Stuttering, cursing, smoking and trying to look super-cool gets in the way of what you're thinking/ The story was "good " is not very informative and you should at least try to research the background of the director, etc. By the way, your dog had more to say in light of your chaotic and trite confusion.

[@Cevanfx]

hahaha

[@MxAxRxK]

i dont know about this movie. i like how it looks but not how its filmed if that makes sense. didnt really engage me just kind of meh. and i like weird stuff like eraserhead too.
p.s. dude smoke your fucking cigarette why would you even light it if you're not going to smoke it.

[@lammarhazardd180]

it's a symbolism (auspiced by tobacco companies)

[@thriller292]

To look cool lol.

[@TheLiveRevolutionary]

@0Vuuk0 i understand that. i just feel as though it could've been done better.

[@RandomnessTVOK]

The director of this movie helped make music videos for Marilyn Manson

[@Concubus]

This is the most hipster thing I've ever seen in my goddamn life. Amusing.

[@0Vuuk0]

The first time I watched it I noticed some things. Like in the begining Isis inpregnating herself with a dead Osiris. It reminded me of that. Similarities. Its a good movie on its own you just have to have different knowlege background other then just film school.

[@darrenenas6767]

I got the Symbolism every bit of it the first time I've seen it, and I've read the reviews after , good review tho

[@TheLiveRevolutionary]

@chisasuke it could stand a few flowers, couldn't it.

[@gladspookyful]

@TheLiveRevolutionary That's fine and good, but the video's not called "Praise Review: Begotten."

[@Featheon]

A hipster always waits until they're rolling to light his cigarette.

[@TheLiveRevolutionary]

@seelangay I just don't understand how people enjoyed this movie, much less found it scary, or stressful. Does it have scary imagery, sure, but lots of movies have scary imagery. Wrong Turn had scary imagery, but that didn't make it scary.
I'll never understand fans of this movie.

[@bgoodfella7413]

Was the Son of Earth who was trembling on the ground supposed to represent Christ? I could see that symbolism fitting in with it.

[@Featheon]

I think the word you might be grasping at when you bring up interpretation of symbols is either "hermeneutics" or the later theory of "semiotics."

[@gladspookyful]

"It doesn't feel like a horror movie, it feels like a symbolic, experimental film."
Well, that's because it is. I'm not gonna say it's a "surrealistic masterpiece," but pretending it's a horror film like Halloween or something is an odd way to critique it.

[@Featheon]

Speaking of "misleading conceptions," the visual effects are much different when experienced on the over-exposed reversal film and not an electronically transmitted copy. Also, if you plan to critique the lack of logic the narrative displays, it would be helpful to engage with the aesthetic of "surrealism," since it is a tradition in film.

[@SquainbowSquaising]

"Victory is the enjoyment of the Earth. Death, the attainment of Heaven."

[@rickyray2794]

Ugh, Hipster...

[@TheLiveRevolutionary]

@JayLamm yeah, that'd be good :P

[@TheLiveRevolutionary]

@0Vuuk0 see, I DO have that different knowledge background. your'e missing the point. the point was, that message and plot was not conveyed in a very interesting or compelling way, and the symbolism is just too thick to understand.

[@natefaizy]

Nobody smoke to look cool since the 90s dude..

[@SquainbowSquaising]

All paths, Arjuna, lead to me.

[@PupaBMX]

Light the cigarette and forget to smoke !

[@brianmerritt5410]

I disagree with this guy. I like the movie. It may not be a typical movie, but it's not supposed to be a coke and popcorn type movie. It's an artsy movie.

[@Zikderodrigue]

Man, your hair are fucking amazing, i want that banana haircut.

[@kirstymug5613]

Did you have to do any poop scoopin after this? and you say you're not an expert at this kinda thing, no offence but you ain't wrong there.

[@uberfresco]

The hipster is way too strong here... it's more horrifying than the movie itself

[@ScenOne]

im not hip enough to watch this video =/

[@natmingmcf1]

i think the dog wants outside

[@MichaelWanjohi]

hahah.. couldn't focus over your awesome dogs mucking around

[@missydom89]

This was probably a good review but sorry I was watching your dogs in the background :D

[@grahambywater2522]

Dude, smoking stopped looking cool a long time ago. Focus on the movies!

[@SquainbowSquaising]

Love and light, dude. Love and light. Namaste.

[@aravindemperor]

what the meaning of begotten eniku onnum manasilayilla

[@dec28085]

consider choosing another location for your next vlog.

[@gabrieljlemay]

About 1.5% of what this guy just said isn't absolute bullshit. Ridiculous.

[@OHthatsLia13]

Ugh cute ❤️

[@keeKeeConnolly]

why are you in a garage talking about cinematography

[@keeKeeConnolly]

kinda ironic

[@davidxxxesp1]

it has the air of a snuff movie

[@mostpowerfuljediever.746]

it notes that this type is very poor for us

[@Dumsvensk]

You look like David Lynch.

[@o0xst]

how about a short review for once emos

[@Gekruidgehakt]

Hipster 2.0

[@Tojiswetblanket]

Smoking

[@dungeonsanddragons2049]

it was more of a snuf film

[@aerouwid4624]

ok slow down chief.. if u consider this snuff, its an extreeemely LITE snuff film

[@davidxxxesp1]

its been begotten lol

[@uh0oo]

This movie sucked. Its a reflection of how dark, and depressing humans are, so it dosnt surprise me. Lets make a movie make it black, and white, and fuzzy with disturbing images in it, and people in the 20s will think its cool, and watch it. Its cheap, and sad. It trys to hard on the shock factor when its boring, and depressing. I give this movie a minus ten.

[@ChaseOren]

uh0oo The movie doesnt try to shock. The goal of the movie is not to shock, its to incite critical thought, as well as confusion.

[@billied2003]

ysdog cadn't histpr ief yu liok wa wa amir fartgot esa.
AMIRITE?

[@JayLamm]

How about if you do a review you learn how to pronounce the director's name

[@eliruddock4147]

TAME YOUR DOGS

[@DanielTran4]

god damn this is such a hipster video hahaah

[@PowderRanger00]

im quitting smoking so i cant watch this shit