Guy Maddin - Archangel

Exceptionally awarded by the prestigious National Society of Film Critics of New York, “Archangel” is an intensely poetic baroque film where tragedy and comedy are intertwined in a surprising way.

1917, Arkhangelsk: the Russian city buried in frost during the Great War. The mustard gas has lulled the memory of the soldiers who forget to stop fighting, forget to sleep, forget they are dead. They only remember one thing: to love. Without ever remembering who. “Archangel” is an intensely poetic baroque film where tragedy and comedy are intertwined in a surprising way.

A flood of hallucinatory images, in which the soft voice of the actors carries a melancholy and fascinating work to the heights. (Cahiers du cinéma)

Recalling at the same time silent cinema, certain images of German expressionism, "Un Chien Andalou" by Bunuel, and "Eraserhead" by David Lynch, this film of astonishing visual force contrasts with ordinary cinema. (Le Monde)

Archangel, 1990, 83', black and white
transfer supervised by Guy Maddin
new titles and tinted scenes