Sweet Movie by Dusan Makavejev is disturbing movie. It simply has child molestation scenes as enjoyable acts and obviously the companies that have endorsed this movie have approved these acts. It is unbelievable how child abuse and children work are acceptable in entertainment industry. It was a shame and absolutely disturbing movie.
I liked this movie, and am glad Criterion released it.
I thinkf olks who like "extreme cinema," for lack of a better term, would enjoy it. It's in a class of films that could include John Waters's Pink Flamingos (and his whole 70s ouevre, basically), Pier Paolo Pasolini's Salo: The 120 Days of Sodom, Myra Breckenridge, Jean-Luc Godard's Weekend, and other experiments in cinematic excess. I enjoyed it; the Criterion print is nice and clean-looking.
I've heard Salo will be reissued by Criterion in 2008.
wow. a lot of hating on SWEET MOVIE. too bad; with the official US release on Criterion (who did a beautiful job), Dusan's classic is primed to provoke and, yes, dismay and even disgust a new generation. perhaps it boils down to the cliche "either you get it or you don't", though some would prefer "every generation gets the art it deserves".
i'm unwavering in my conviction that this is the most unique film ever attempted (and yes, it succeeds magnificently); my own personal # 1 favourite; and possibly the greatest ever.
hail Makavejev!!
(i'll write an 'official' review one of these days.)
Henry Covert
author of feature review of SWEET MOVIE for the Spring 1998 issue of VIDEO EYEBALL, magazine. Makavejev himself called my review "insightful and intelligent" (i was stunned.. but in a good way).
