I'm sorry to hear you were disappointed by Enys Men, a film which for me (like the standing stone it features) has become a haunting landmark of the so called 'folk horror' tradition - pushing it above and beyond convention in ways Ben Wheatley could only dream of.
I can't agree that this film is somehow an indulgent film, or one that only appeals to a select few. Yes, its a film of images, ideas, fragments but fundamentally I think it works on the nerves of the audience, not its intellect. While there might be some allusions at work, these are not necessary to engage with the film as a whole, but merely breadcrumbs which help orientate the more seasoned cinema-goers.
It does require you to 'let go' of some filmic presuppositions, but this is precisely what makes Enys Men a success. BAIT was a great starting point for Mr. Jenkin as an introduction to his world and way of working yet still grounded by familiarity. However, his style of film making is better suited to the abstract storytelling we find in Enys Men - we no longer need to be bound by the conventions of 'plot' or characters with names. There are more important things to focus on - time, nature, isolation, survival.
We need more Enys Men in cinema today, especially if it means ruffling some feathers. To paraphrase Bresson, sometimes we need to 'feel' films rather than understand them.
I can see this is a film you enjoyed, although not unanimously. The image is good, and you are correct, there are several good images in this film. However, it’s kind of easy, a lazy surrealist juxtaposition, that the League of Gentleman do better when parodying the Folk Horror genre.
As for how one should view a film or what the viewer should feel, is down to the individual. We do agree the film works on the nerves of the audience. It certainly got on mine.
Dear Reids on Film
There are many films you review I haven't seen, but, Enys Men, I have....
I note you show the one good image from the film, a fleeting few seconds during the longest 91mins of the 'nuns' on a cliff edge.
Enys Men is a film made to impress film critic friends and film students with in-jokes and indulgence.
Such a huge disappointment following on from the 'proper ansom' BAIT.
Dear Mark, thank you for getting in touch.
I'd first like to direct you to another spectacular image from the film - https://filmmakermagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/enysmen.jpg
I'm sorry to hear you were disappointed by Enys Men, a film which for me (like the standing stone it features) has become a haunting landmark of the so called 'folk horror' tradition - pushing it above and beyond convention in ways Ben Wheatley could only dream of.
I can't agree that this film is somehow an indulgent film, or one that only appeals to a select few. Yes, its a film of images, ideas, fragments but fundamentally I think it works on the nerves of the audience, not its intellect. While there might be some allusions at work, these are not necessary to engage with the film as a whole, but merely breadcrumbs which help orientate the more seasoned cinema-goers.
It does require you to 'let go' of some filmic presuppositions, but this is precisely what makes Enys Men a success. BAIT was a great starting point for Mr. Jenkin as an introduction to his world and way of working yet still grounded by familiarity. However, his style of film making is better suited to the abstract storytelling we find in Enys Men - we no longer need to be bound by the conventions of 'plot' or characters with names. There are more important things to focus on - time, nature, isolation, survival.
We need more Enys Men in cinema today, especially if it means ruffling some feathers. To paraphrase Bresson, sometimes we need to 'feel' films rather than understand them.
Dear Raids On Film
I can see this is a film you enjoyed, although not unanimously. The image is good, and you are correct, there are several good images in this film. However, it’s kind of easy, a lazy surrealist juxtaposition, that the League of Gentleman do better when parodying the Folk Horror genre.
As for how one should view a film or what the viewer should feel, is down to the individual. We do agree the film works on the nerves of the audience. It certainly got on mine.
PS - I did enjoy the safety advert link . Truly terrifying!
I hope we both enjoy Jenkin’s next film.
Best