http://www.filmsquish.com & http://spank-the-monkey.typepad.com
The film, Spiklenci slasti a.k.a Conspirators of Pleasure by Jan Švankmajer follows the rituals of the “ordinary citizens” of Prague who seek better sexual bonds with unique objects. From a fetishism perspective, his depictions of food, animals, and human body parts make any Japanese erotic animations or his fellow fetish aficionados like Pedro Almodóvar look less perverted. In other words, he makes people’s wildest desires come true, often without even showing the actual intercourse.
I once had a pleasure of meeting Mr. Švankmajer in person while I was studying in Prague. I recall him commenting how the audience tend to over analyze his films and also we should note that the audience themselves were no stranger to the characters in his films. As a naïve film student, I thought the poor old man had completely gone mad, probably in the process of recovery from his traumatic experience of exile and oppression. Fortunately, studying the legacy of Mr. Švankmajer today makes a whole lot sense to me than it did (or didn't) 5 years go. Indeed, it's very sad news for children; even Pollyanna and Prince Charming pretty much hide a skeleton or two in the closet, apparently.
Does anyone remember catching a joke about Berlusconi's naked Czech friend? Despite the existence of the expats' secret society, I remember Czech Republic being a relatively conservative country where the former prime minister was certainly not welcomed to expose himself next to his friend's swimming pool. I wonder what kind of radical changes had been brought to this place and its art scene since I left.
In real life, a lovely gentleman.
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