SPOILER ALERT Am I the only one who "got" this film? I don't usually enjoy movies shot in black and white, nor "artsy fartsy" movies, but this one really had something to say of great significance (stated explicitly in the final words of the film), and it was also entertaining (at least I found it to be).
I don't agree with the general reviewer's attitude toward the holocaust scenes. The central message of the film does NOT deny reality to suffering, but explicitly acknowledges it (the fact that the holocaust was "real" and vampires are "not real" is entirely beside the point). Suffering IS real, and is the common thread linking the vampire/addict and the holocaust victim.
Has anyone else noticed that the central philosophy of the movie is not nihilism, but nondualism? How the endless cycle of pain/pleasure (also known as "addiction") controls all of us to one extent or another, and how all pleasure takes place against a background of pain -- an endless cycle of suffering for most of humanity? The film also examines the notion of "free will" in detail, and ultimately concludes that "my will against yours" is the cause of much "evil." Nondualism concludes that "free will" is an oxymoron, and denies reality to the concept of personal volition. This movie reaches much the same conclusion.
Ultimately, the main character's spiritual redemption at the end of the movie demonstrates nondualism, not nihilism (a nihilistic ending would be the suicide or death of the main character in a particular violent fashion). Yet she is redeemed, and realizes that annihilation of "self" (the ego, will, conflict, separation, addiction, the cause of suffering) is the only true path of redemption. This is a spiritual, non-dual message.
If anyone who hasn't heard of the perspective of nondualism is curious, try your favorite search engine and searching on "nonduality" and/or "advaita."
Rating: 9/10
I don't agree with the general reviewer's attitude toward the holocaust scenes. The central message of the film does NOT deny reality to suffering, but explicitly acknowledges it (the fact that the holocaust was "real" and vampires are "not real" is entirely beside the point). Suffering IS real, and is the common thread linking the vampire/addict and the holocaust victim.
Has anyone else noticed that the central philosophy of the movie is not nihilism, but nondualism? How the endless cycle of pain/pleasure (also known as "addiction") controls all of us to one extent or another, and how all pleasure takes place against a background of pain -- an endless cycle of suffering for most of humanity? The film also examines the notion of "free will" in detail, and ultimately concludes that "my will against yours" is the cause of much "evil." Nondualism concludes that "free will" is an oxymoron, and denies reality to the concept of personal volition. This movie reaches much the same conclusion.
Ultimately, the main character's spiritual redemption at the end of the movie demonstrates nondualism, not nihilism (a nihilistic ending would be the suicide or death of the main character in a particular violent fashion). Yet she is redeemed, and realizes that annihilation of "self" (the ego, will, conflict, separation, addiction, the cause of suffering) is the only true path of redemption. This is a spiritual, non-dual message.
If anyone who hasn't heard of the perspective of nondualism is curious, try your favorite search engine and searching on "nonduality" and/or "advaita."
Rating: 9/10