After the 1929, surreal short film "Un Chien Andalou"; Luis Bunuel and Salvador Dali collaborated once again. This time in 1930 for " L Age D Or" (the Age of Gold) A scathing satire attacking the bourgeois state, religion, and the wealthy elite. The film concerns a man's quest for a women's unattainable love; a common theme with Bunuel. The couple is caught making love and separated by authorities. Throughout, the film the man tries to pursue the woman with no luck. He's repeatedly interrupted by different institutions. Finally, the couple is reunited at a snotty high class party. Things go down hill from there as the film get's more and more crazy. " L Age D Or" contains many bizarre surreal images such as crippled soldiers who use guns for crutches, priest's that turn into skeletons, a cow in the leading lady's bedroom, toe fetishes and a giraffe and priest getting thrown out a window and harpooned. The dark humor was way ahead of it's time. Watch as a father shoots his own kid for not obeying him. In fact it's easy to see why, it's festival premiere caused a riot. It was also extremely controversial for it's blasphemous images. Of course, today it's less shocking and more hilarious. Bunuel and Dali were anarchic in their vision of society. Attacking every form of hypocrisy through surrealism, they inspired many directors. This film is a must for anyone who's interested in surrealism or the history of cinema. Also check out "The Phantom of Liberty" for more crazy Bunuel madness.
Review of L'Age d'Or
