My Life and Times with Antonin Artaud

Hello Artaudies!

Although I agree that the film was more a documentary than trying to establish a complete theatre of cruelty style there were definately cruel elements. As Sarah mentioned, I found the scene with Colette particularly poignant in that as well as forcing the viewer to take on a almost voyeuristic role, I also felt highly uncomforatble throughout the whole sequence because of the clear emotional and physical strain of the performer, when she finally gave up I too felt relieved. This seemed to be in keeping with Artauds concept of cruelty as I believe it was a physical experience, in as much as I felt myself saying the words with her in my head (loser).

As noted below, I also think it was not the questionable choice of music that was powerful in this film but the use of silence. Most significantly so in the scene where Prevel is choking uncontrollably. By using silence as Artaud often chose to do in his films the gesture, facial grimaces and distorted body were the focus, and I found this silent image of the body in utter turmoil, was far more powerful than when the sound was introduced; language was un-neccessary in creating this, the image was 'universal'.

Like Grace, I also found the black and white stock effetive as a visual metaphor of Artauds state of mind; depicting it as bleak and incoherent, as the image was often distorted and grainy. I also felt it had a distancing effect for the viewer, causing them to cast a more analytical eye over the film as it was not 'realistic' in colour.

Hmm rating it is a toughy, I am going to say 3. As a film it gave a good presentation of the effect of a drug addiction, and of Artaud's way of looking at the world, however it did seem at times to undermine itself with the choice of music for example, and not give a true depiction of Artaud as a theorist, there were indeed beautiful moments but I think they could have been pushed further.

Lauren
xxxxxx