This Anti-Valentines at Spectacle, join us for a crash course on Agalmatophilia; the sexual attraction to dolls, mannequins, or other similar figurative objects. The four films in this program will explore different perspectives on this state of mind. In some cases, it involves a yearning for complete objectification à la MARIE, THE DOLL. In other instances, it’s a toxic-masculine power trip as in LIFE SIZE. Or sometimes it’s just plain misanthropy. Regardless, these four movies should put you in the mood. So come to Spectacle this month and sit still… very still… as we present the best love stories since Pygmalion kissed that statue.
THE KILLER OF DOLLS
Dir. Miguel Madrid, 1975.
Spain, 98 min.
In Spanish.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5 – 10:00 PM
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 – 7:30 PM
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16 – 7:30 PM
In the picturesque Park Güell of Barcelona, the groundskeeper’s son is having a crisis. Prone to mood swings and screaming fits, he begins to see himself and those around him as mannequins. THE KILLER OF DOLLS is a story of a man at war with himself. David Rocha plays Paul, the protagonist, with unforgettable intensity. As Paul begins to kill the “dolls” he says he hates, how much of his own fractured self-image is tied up in his quest for extermination? This film is a perfect 70s exploitation gem. Psychedelic freakouts, off-kilter acting, and gruesome kills will dazzle you, your friends, lovers, enemies, and anyone else with $5.
MARRONNIER
Dir. Hideyuki Kobayashi, 2004.
Japan, 79 min.
In Japanese.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 – MIDNIGHT
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 – 10 PM
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 – 10 PM
Horror manga icon Junji Ito (Uzumaki, Tomie) presents a feverish odyssey of doll worship, screening for the first time ever in New York! Numai is a peculiar young man who can’t seem to charm any women no matter how hard he tries. He does have one unique skill however… he is able to turn women into dolls that he calls “Marronniers”. When a fan of his work named Marino finds herself trapped in Numai’s workshop, she must fight for her life to avoid becoming a doll herself! This underseen SOV film is director Akira Kobayashi’s first credit. Filled with delirious nightmare-logic and eerie puppetry this one is sure to get under your skin!
MARIE, THE DOLL
Dir. Joël Séria, 1976.
France, 106 min.
In French.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 – 5:00 PM
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 – 7:30 PM
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23 – 7:30 PM
If you enjoyed DON’T DELIVER US FROM EVIL as a part of December’s “Best of Best of Spectacle” programming then you might enjoy this other film by director Joël Séria. MARIE, THE DOLL stars Jeanne Goupil as the titular character, a happy go-lucky girl living in small-town France. Shortly after marrying a rich and eccentric doll-store owner named Claude, she is introduced to his idea of the perfect wife. Claude buys her a new frilly wardrobe, he fashions a cutesy doll room for her, and finally convinces Marie to play “doll” with him. When Marie seems to enjoy the game more than Claude, she has to find other outlets for her enthusiasm. This film is unnerving in its soft, pastel-colored delivery of a sordid narrative. It’s an anti-valentine’s masterwork.
Warning: Contains a scene of sexual violence.
LIFE SIZE
Dir. Luis Garcia Berlanga, 1974.
Spain, 101 min.
In French.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3 – 10:00 PM
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 – 7:30 PM
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 – 3:00 PM
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 – 7:30 PM
Michel is a well-respected dentist. He is married. He visits his mother. When he receives the silicone Japanese doll he ordered in the mail, he is instantly enamored. Watch as he takes it shopping, introduces it to his family, and takes showers with it. Spanish master Luis García-Berlanga (THE EXECUTIONER, WELCOME MR. MARSHALL!) directs LIFE SIZE with a shocking matter-of-factness. It can be hard to watch but it’s never not entertaining.
XXX XXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXX
Dir. XXXXX XXXXXXXXXX, 1976.
United States, 30 min.
XX XXX XXXX
Dir. XXXXXX XXXXX, 1980.
France, 14 min.
XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
Dir. XXX XXX, XXX XXX. 2008.
South Korea, 30 min.
Doll-themed shorts to be screened one night only on Valentine’s Day. They run the gamut from terrifying to hilarious. Uncover the mystery, enjoy the show.
