Der parfümierte Alptraum (1977)
5KDer parfümierte Alptraum: Directed by Kidlat Tahimik. With Mang Fely, Dolores Santamaria, Georgette Baudry, Katrin Muller. A Filipino jeepney driver (Kidlat Tahimik) who idolizes America’s space program comes to reject the rapid encroachment of technology.
“Okay, is that overselling it? Perfumed Nightmare blew away all my expectations. Understandably, thereu0026#39;s not a lot of expectations for Filipino cinema, and thereu0026#39;s not a lot of expectations for independent film anymore (today, independent is anybody without studio money, and some with, making any kind of movie). But this film was a learning experience for me.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eInstead of another gritty soap opera, the filmmaker presents a story about a guy from a one-bridge town who dreams of becoming an American astronaut. Instead of trying to ape a Hollywood film, he took advantage of his technical limitations: thereu0026#39;s no dolly shots or zooms, and the audio tracku0026#39;s perpetually out of sync. So, instead of a strictly linear narrative, Perfumed Nightmare unfolds like the browsing of a scrapbook, while the director narrates. It helps that even the disintegrating scenery is photographed beautifully, and the narration is sharp and succinctly funny. Iu0026#39;m still chewing on the symbolism and politics of the film, but itu0026#39;s heartening that the film recognizes the contradictions of the situation. And itu0026#39;s heartening to see tricks from directors like Spike Lee, Sodebergh, and Von Trier in a film made over twenty years prior (apparently, this filmu0026#39;s director knew Herzog). Of course, that may be a personal bias (Iu0026#39;m half-Pinoy and an aspiring filmmaker). But mostly, itu0026#39;s nice to see a film that could surprise me every couple of minutes. Itu0026#39;s not a perfect film, but itu0026#39;s one Iu0026#39;ll never forget.”
