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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 12, 1982)
(Sur)really good flick “Montenegro" Susan Anspach Bijou Theatre Rated R The 37-year old fur-wrapped housewife walks slowly to the end of the dock. The sun glistens on the water. A huge, expensive house looms in the back ground. She halts at the end of the dock. There’s no place left to go. Marilyn Jordan (Anspach) is a transplanted American housewife who feels trapped by her luxurious lifestyle and her upper class family, and lost in the Swedish culture she's emigrated into. She’s struggling to hang onto her sanity in the face of incredible pressures, and it shows clearly in her bizarre behavior. She pours milk and a small bottle of clear liquid into the dog's dish. "I know you're a wise animal." she says. “Wise animals must be able to make decisions. Now, I’m going to put poison into your milk. You must decide whether to drink it or not. It’s your choice, and you have to live with your decision." The dog sniffs tee milk, walks away, returns, and looks up at her. ’’Well, it’s not my decision. But if you want my advice, don't drink it.” Jordan is on the brink of a major breakdown, and it shows. She teaches her daughter how to cook Schnit zel for the family's dinner, then eats the whole plateful One night after sex, she playfully sets fire to the bed (and her husband’s rear) with her cigarette. If her life doesn’t change soon, it’ll be the end of the line for Jordan. Her life changes A lot. Through a series of cir cumstances beyond her control, she finds herself in ZanziBar, the seediest, craziest dive imaginable She is immediately welcomed by the patrons of the bar. immigrants who, like Jordan, feel alienated by the Swedish culture ZanziBar is an absurd world where violence is commonplace, sex is uninhibited, and outside rules have no meaning. Alcohol lubricates the spirits of the patrons, who are in a state of constant celebration. The decaying world of ZanziBar, with its weather ing walls, animal sexuality and total abandon, is a far cry from the pink and purple velvet world of Jordan's women's club She soon adapts to the new environ ment, and finds the freedom she so desperately desired. This is the setting of "Montenegro," Yugoslavian writer/director Ousan Makavejev's 1981 surreal comedy. Surrealists often deal with irrational behavior, dream-like images, the liberation from social restrictions and the pursuit of personal and sexual freedom, and Makavejev seems to fit the bill. Unlike the heavy, sometimes unfathomable images of earlier surrealists, Makavejev blends comedy and a light form of surrealism with the flair of an artist. In an introduction to the film, Makavejev writes. "Looking for Marityn Jordan's secret face, a composite image of Disney's Pluto and (Luis) Bunuel's Chien Andalou appeared." Makavejev strikes a perfect balance between the two extremes of humor and surrealism, and it is upon this point of balance that the whole film pivots. ‘Montenegro’ is a bridge between Hollywood narratives and European experimentals. The acting in the film seems intentionally one dimensional The characters become too horrible to be likeable, and the emotions are so shallow that we are removed from the action of the film to a point where we can better examine what's happening Despite this intentional shallowness. Anspach is good as the be sieged housewife, and Svetozar Cvetkovic is excellent r as her lover, the mysterious Mr Montenegro (kind of a strong, silent Bruce Springsteen). What really makes the movie, however, are the visual images Cinematographer Tomislav Pinter, art director Radu Borusescu and set designer Eric L.son Johnson have created a number of stirring shots that illustrate Makavejev's script perfectly The combination of the visual images and Ma kaveiev's delicate balance between light surrealism and comedy make "Montenegro” sail Although its frequent violence and raw sexuality may offend some, "Mon tenegro'' is particularly accessible to American audiences not used to the heavy surrealism of other European filmmakers Makavejev provides a bridge between Hollywood narratives and European exper imental that will be surprisingly palatable to both types of audiences by matt meyer 1 Portland’s world class dance workshop. Be there. You owe it to yourself. Ninth Annual Sommer Dance Workshop at Reed College Jane 28 to July 30 * World famous teachers from New York and Europe. • Instruction in jazz, ballet and modem * Beginning through advanced levels. • Convenient times—evening and day classes. • No experience necessary for beginners. * Great facilities—showers, sauna and pool. Classes filling up fast. Call 227-1927 for information. Re^ster at Northwest Dance Center, 918 S.W Yamhill, 2nd floor Visa and Mastercard accepted -. WORKING WORLD SCHOOL Bill Dugan FRESHMAN V_) Congratulations! You're a freshman again. You’ve worked hard the past four years to become a senior. Now, in just a few short weeks, you’re going to be a freshman all over again at the largest school of all.... the working world. The rewards will be great, but it takes a lot of hard work and experience to make the grades. The Peace Corps will help. Spend two years “studying” with us. Find out more by calling 686-3235, or visiting the Peace Corps in room 246 Susan Campbell Hall. At the Peace Corps, we’ll make your freshman year in the working world a little less traumatic. Invest in your future today by giving one to others ...in the Peace Corps
