The silver screen

And now for something completely different.

This weekend two great movies were to be seen on television. I got to see Rabbit-proof fence on BBC2 Saturday, and then Mulholland Drive on Holland 3 Sunday.

I had never seen Rabbit-proof fence before, but I must say I was greatly impressed with this movie. It showed a very simple story about three Aboriginal girls being pulled out of their families in a very simple way. No overly complicated methods but just emphasising the right things.

In the thirties of last century the Australian Government apparently took all half-castes out of their families, to re-educate them (something they didn't stop doing until 1970 by the way!). They forced them to integrate into the white society, and tried to breed the Aborigine genes out of them. Their offsprings should become white citizens. Of course the Aborigines did not agree with it and tried to break out, much to the white government’s horror.

If only they’d know what we’re trying to do for them, the civil servant in charge of the re-education says in the movie. A scandalous and disgusting petting of people, a people perfectly capable of surviving in their own natural environment.

Then there was Mulholland Drive. One of my all-time favourite movies. While it starts of as a plain movie, it comes up with structures that get more absurd and alienating in each and every scene. I see Lynch as one of the biggest geniuses in modern-days movie-making mainly because of this movie.

What’s next is my take on the movie, following Lynch’s 10 clues to figure it out.

Therefore a little warning:

DON’T READ WHAT'S NEXT IF YOU’D RATHER FIGURE IT OUT YOURSELF

• Pay particular attention in the beginning of the film: at least two clues are revealed before the credits.
  - The two elderly people that were on Betty’s flight can be seen cheering and embracing her when she goes up for what looks like an award.
  - One of the dancing girls gets beaten up and pulled around by her partner.
  - Red bed-linen is the last image before the credits come up.


• Notice appearances of the red lampshade.
  - It appears in club Silencio, when the camera takes us behind Winkie’s after she hired the murderer, the final phone in the chain Mr. Roque (the small guy from Carnivale) started is next to a red lamp, this lamp is in Diane’s home.


• Can you hear the title of the film that Adam Kesher is auditioning actresses for? Is it mentioned again?
  - The Silvia North Story, the title is only heard on the dinner table when Adam is giving a party AFAIK.


• An accident is a terrible event... Notice the location of the accident.
  - Mulholland Drive, right in front of the secret path that leads up to Adam’s house.


• Who gives a key, and why?
  - The hit man will give Diane a key after Camilla has been killed, Coco gives Betty the key of the apartment and Tina gives Betty key because she finds it in her handbag.
  - A more figurative key is being given by Wally’s director, Bob. He said a couple of words that particularly intrigued me: ‘Don’t play it for real until it gets real’. I think everything he says has a key role in the movie for some reason. Very interesting character.


• Notice the robe, the ashtray, the coffee cup.
  - They’re all in Diane’s house. The coffee cup Diane has is the same as the one being used at Winkie’s, the ashtray is to be seen next to the last phone in Mr. Roque’s chain.


• What is felt, realized and gathered at the club Silencio?
  - Fear is felt, illusions are realised, lovers are gathered


• Did talent alone help Camilla?
  - No, she was pushed into her role thanks to the mafia brothers and seduced Adam.


• Notice the occurrences surrounding the man behind Winkie’s.
  - Red light shades, he has the blue box, …


• Where is Aunt Ruth?
  - Black River (?), Ontario, the place Diane originates from.

It still remains a bit vague obviously, but I think it’s rather clear Diane tries to get Camilla killed, but when she realises what she has done, Diane is in a complete shock. So much for the simple part.

But then, which part of the movie is the dream and which one is reality. I personally think the first part actually is the dream, and the last one is real. I can’t really explain why though. I think after the accident Rita moves into the other character and sees what she has done. Either that or she killed Diane and took along the money Diane would pay to get her killed. For some reason the elderly couple are in the plot as well, that's something I'm certain of. I also should really see again what the keys aunt Ruth takes along from the kitchen table look…

In the end it’s all about Lynch’s club Silencio hint according to me: The fear and illusion of lovers.

Please feel free to correct me, or tell what your take on the movie is...