Possession
*I wanted to watch more horror films than usual this spooky season, and I feel it's only right to start with the best horror movie ever. this is the fourth time I've watched it. and already this is my second long review, so I'll try really hard not to repeat myself. Possession begins as a family drama like Marriage story. Zulawski focuses on Anna and Mark's relationship, introducing the viewer to confusion later on when the movie becomes more like an insane nightmare. right from the start, it stunningly creates tension and anxiety around what's going on with its suffocating silence and emptiness of shots. and with each passing second Possession plunges you deeper into darkness. > since the first time I saw it, I haven't actually seen anything like it. an absolutely unique experience. all of my favorite films are those that have influenced my view of cinema and pushed the boundaries of how I view it. and this is definitely one of them. I can't even convey through text how important this film is to me.> there one thing I noticed this time around that has to do with the narrative of this. the way this movie exists contrasts between silence and disturbing screams. for example, the scene where they fight in the restaurant, after which we immediately see an anxious Mark not uttering a single word for a minute. and that's what's so confusing about it. how it's both very disturbing in its dynamics and, at the same time, suffocating in its silence. and with every second the silence fades more and more against the background of madness.> Helen's character is very interesting to me. when I first watched it, I didn't quite understand the significance she had for the plot. now I realize that she's Mark’s embodiment of an unrealistic ideal. the ideal woman Mark wants for himself. she's characterless and calm, no matter what the circumstances. the exact opposite of Anna. and that's a quite important theme for the movie. how we create unrealistic ideals from the person in a relationship and set expectations for them.> I really like how differently it can be interpreted. but I also like to view it more from the perspective of experience rather than an exact analysis of the plot, which is impossible. it feels like a quintessential representation of all the emotions Zulawski was going through at the time. and that's awesome. also, I mention this every time I write about this movie, but Isabelle Adjani is immaculate. her looks at the camera gave me goosebumps.*
#i say a lot and nothing at the same time#rewatch#Spooktober