Dionysos

Reviewed for CM/AN 349: Media and Ethnography

by: Ghada Al-Said

This is the most difficult review I have had to write so far. When attempting to write a review for this movie, it is difficult to establish where to begin. There are so many different aspects to the movie, and I have to admit that I was confused half the time. The movie makes allusions to myths, historical incidents, modernity, Africa, rituals, etc, and I found it very interesting to watch. The interesting blend of themes results in a fascinating, yet VERY information packed movie.

The movie tells the tale of a man and his journey through success. Surrealism is introduced through the integration of mythical figures, and through the mixing of the real with the artificial. The film takes us through two important events in the life of the protagonist, in which he is accompanied with females that he claims to be Arian and The Mynaeds. His success stems from his relationship with these females, his ambition, and his enthusiasm.

Not only does this movie carry so much information but Jean Rouch utilizes different filming techniques in this movie as well. The movie mixes the animated with the real, the foreground with the background, and France with Africa. I thought this was very interesting, but I felt that one of the most essential parts of this movie was the music. There are so many different kinds of music that are played in this film, and Jean Rouch did a remarkable job of linking them directly into the plot.

My favorite part of the movie is the several times when images of France were juxtaposed with those of Africa. It was clear that Jean Rouch was trying to form a link between the rituals and everyday happenings of the two places.

In conclusion, I feel that this movie was a true hybrid; A movie that mixes everything together in an attempt to find a common ground. A movie that was highly entertaining, yet extremely difficult to understand.

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