Made in 1962, THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL is a highly complex film to watch, despite is ostensibly straightforward story. A group of rich people gather together in a large house for a party, but find themselves unable to escape. Deprived of their basic comforts such as food, water and clothing, they are transformed into savages. Outside the building, people look on in astonishment; while being concerned for the welfare of those trapped inside, they make no efforts to help. Bunuel's film can be seen as an allegory of contemporary society, in which the veneer of civilization is highly superficial. Rich people, just like their less privileged counterparts, are unable to find ways of extricating themselves from difficult situations. Even though they escape at the end, they are subsequently imprisoned in the church: Bunuel shows that nobody, not even established institutions, can help them (or us, for that matter). The film ends with a flock of sheep running towards the church where the people are imprisoned, suggesting that human beings are like lambs to the slaughter. The only way to cope with this inevitable fate is to trust in Providence; hence it comes as no surprise to find the action taking place in Providence Street. THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL needs to be viewed more than once in order to appreciate the subtlety of Bunuel's script, as well as the brilliance of his cinematic technique, but it is well worth the effort.
Review of The Exterminating Angel
