By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Roy Andersson
Starring: Lars Nordh | Stefan Larsson | Sten Andersson | Torbjörn Fahlström
Original language title: Sånger från andra våningen
Country: sweden
Year: 2002
Running time: 98
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Title?0120263
Michael says: “This bizarrely entrancing Swedish film is director Roy Andersson’s 8th, and his 1st since 1991! Working with a largely amateur cast, SONGS FROM THE SECOND FLOOR is a visually stunning, with strangely humorous moments… but what does it all mean?
“Clearly a commentary on the capitalistic nature of society, where working to make money and get ahead is where all ones energy should be thrust, Andersson intersperses his film with broad strokes of surrealism that are at first startling, then welcome. While there clearly is little resembling a plot, the film seems to center on Pelle, an overweight, middle-aged man who has unbeknownst to all, burned his successful business to the ground. This act fails to liberate him, however, and he is forced to seek other work. Meanwhile, his oldest son, Tomas is in an institution due to the world’s lack of interest in poetry, and his younger son, Lasse, is at loose ends, driving Tomas’ taxi despite the endless traffic jams that inhibit city travel. To reveal anything else would serve no purpose, neither to make sense of the plot, nor give anything away. Still there is something compelling about the storyline, and I actually started to put the stray ideas in the film together into a cohesive whole as it neared its conclusion. (I’ve done even better since the viewing.)
“Andersson filmed the movie using 45 separate scenes with a stationery camera for each scene. The camera moves only once, in a pivotal scene mid-way through the film. Several of his more surreal scenes are breath-taking with their simple effects, particularly the final scene which takes place at a dump.
“Not sure if this is for everyone; of the three of us who went, two enjoyed it, one hated it. But I recommend it at any rate.” 3 1/2 cats
Ellen says: “Okay, Okay, I’m the one who hated it. I thought it was painfully slow and dreadfully mundane. After all, we all know that we are slaves to work and the almighty dollar to the exclusion of love, art, and humanity. Okay, Okay, I’m know I’m a slave to work….”
Scot says: “Haha, you take that so personally Ellen! Haha. No, I can totally see why someone might dislike this film. It’s very obtuse and certainly slow. Often unpleasant to watch. But I was just fascinated by the long hallways and streets that just lead off to an unreachable end. And the unrealistic elements were so unexpected sometimes. I don’t pretend to understand too much of this film, but I certainly was hypnotized by it.” 3 1/2 cats