File spoon-archives/deleuze-guattari.archive/deleuze-guattari_1996/96-10-27.132, message 23


From: dionysus-AT-bway.net
Date: Fri, 11 Oct 1996 15:17:21 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: violenc


>
>> Croneneberg might be the way to go for those raised on video games, and
>
>...or he might not.  C's films might also be brilliant examples of the
>uses of violence as sensitizing/desens.  Toss-off condescension like this
>does *wonders* for discussion, I'm sure.
>
>> Tarantino might be the way to go for those raised on indie rock and rap,
>> but if you want to understand Bataille and Nietzsche on (non)violence -
>> which is where this discussion began - Ferarra is the way to go. From
>> Driller Killer to Bad Lieutenant, Dangerous Game, and The Addiction, the
>> issue is human drive. Bataille and Lacan couldn't have been more pleased.
>> Castration is explored as a solution to impending psychosis in modern life,
>> but it never succeeds. Neither does addiction. As to whether these
>> characters are saved before they are destroyed is open. As to whether the
>> culmination is dionysus or the crucified is similarly indeterminant. But
>> these are ethical (in Lacan's sense) explorations. (Tarantino's is a
>> batchelor ethic like Baudrillard's).
>
>Could you expland on this?
>>
>> In a sense, American Psycho (a similarly crucial - and ethical - book for
>> our time) doesn't need to be made into a film, since Ferarra's already done
>> it.
>
>As an earlier film, or has he actually made this?
>
>>  No doubt the actual film will miss the whole point.
>>
At one time Cronenberg was going to direct "American Psycho" - I don't know
if this is still the case. For me Ferarra would be the only one who could
pull it off remaining true to the spirit of the book.

The above is not "condescencion" but condensation in the form of
metaphor/metonymy illustrating my point explained in more detail that the
fascination with technique and style in much contemporary "art"
(Cronenberg, Tarantino, video games, and indie rock) shies away from the
ethical/aesthetic/sacred/intersubjective questions of human existence.
Perhaps "discussion" is not the aim so much as communication. Making a cut
is as important as the invitation to unfold. For more "expansion" of the
above, I recommend the source: an extensive reading (and thought-action) of
Bataille, Lacan, Nietzsche, DeSade, Deleuze, Guattari, Levinas, Girard,
Zen, Christ . . .

With regard to another message. . .

I admit that The Addiction is a disappointingly flawed film but taken in
consideration with Ferarra's ongoing work the issues are there. The orgy of
violence near the end is absurd and I can't even pass it off as an ode to
Ferarra's roots in low-fi horror films, but I can overlook it in
anticipation of the final scene of transmigration. But then again I'm a
Christian. Nadja is all appearances - but then again for those raised on
Baudrillard . . . .

It's a matter of whether you perceive with your eyes or your soul.




   

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