Zizek! (2005)

62% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
74% of users liked it
(823 ratings)

Slavoj Zizek is that rarity, an internationally famous philosopher, and one who has built a career out of telling his audience things they probably don't want to hear. Embracing a world view that blends Marxism with the teachings of Jacques Lacan, Zizek's work obsesses on how capitalism affects the… More Slavoj Zizek is that rarity, an internationally famous philosopher, and one who has built a career out of telling his audience things they probably don't want to hear. Embracing a world view that blends Marxism with the teachings of Jacques Lacan, Zizek's work obsesses on how capitalism affects the way we think and function in our society, and how this is reflected in everything from pop psychology to plumbing. Zizek's writings have won him a sizable following in the United States, and he's been described as an "academic rock star" in Europe, where his lectures frequently attract sell-out crowds. Filmmaker Astra Taylor followed Slavoj Zizek as he traveled across Europe, South America, and the United States on a speaking tour, and Zizek! captures the man as his mind and tongue both run in fifth gear while he encounters his fans and followers on- and off-stage. Taylor also interviews Zizek off-stage and he offers his thoughts on his public persona, his fame, his reputation among other academics, and his young son's fondness for eating at McDonald's. Zizek! received its North American premiere at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 9 min.
Directed By: Astra Taylor
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Nov 17, 2005 Limited
On DVD: Jul 25, 2006
Studio: Zeitgeist Films

Critic Reviews

Joshua Glenn, Boston Globe
Zizek is a revolutionary playing a comedian playing a revolutionary. Which makes him worth watching, even in this movie.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
Americans might want to approach him first on the printed page rather than the hyperactive Zizek!
A.O. Scott, New York Times
If you see only one documentary about a Slovene philosopher this year, it will most likely be Astra Taylor's brisk little film Zizek!
John Anderson, Newsday
Taylor, making her first feature-length documentary, has the wits to capture the taut mind and disheveled lifestyle of a very funny man.
Michael Atkinson, Village Voice
[Sings] to the smug choir of post-structuralist academia, who have so few movies made for their matinee satisfaction.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
Zizek! is a stylish, surprisingly energetic film.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
Zizek is such an entertaining speaker -- his eyes intense, his fingers jabbing, spittle flying from his lips -- that you don't mind that so many concepts are whizzing by your ears.
Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times
With an exclamation point suggesting the collegial equivalent of Beatlemania, Zizek! is a movie made by a groupie too enamored of her subject to make a satisfying film about him.
Sean Axmaker, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
You may not grasp his ideological philosophy, but you'll have a good time making the attempt.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Taylor presents Zizek as a larger-than-life figure who manages to engage you even when you're not entirely sure what he's going on about.
Kevin Courrier, Boxoffice Magazine
To some, he may suggest the 'Elvis of cultural theory'; to others, though, he might be closer to Peter Finch of Network. In short: a cerebral blowhard.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...a primer to Zizek and his ideals this is not...

Read all 12 critic reviews

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Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]"Zizek!" is a mildly interesting documentary that follows Slavoj Zizek, a political philosopher, as he gives talks in New York, Boston, Argentina and his native turf of Slovenia where he holds down a day job as a university lecturer. His talks combine… More
[font=Century Gothic]"Zizek!" is a mildly interesting documentary that follows Slavoj Zizek, a political philosopher, as he gives talks in New York, Boston, Argentina and his native turf of Slovenia where he holds down a day job as a university lecturer. His talks combine the theories of Karl Marx and Lancanian psychology into a vibrant attack on capitalism.(An attempt is made to explain some of his theories, giving a partial introduction to his writings in the process, but I wish it had been simple enough for a layman to understand. And admittedly, I'm lost when it comes to understanding psychology.) His appeal comes from an extraordinary ability to have complex theories simply roll off the tongue. Also, unlike the stereotypical philosopher, he is not the shy type, instead willing to jump into the fray on occasion. However, he does not enjoy the fame that has come along with his notoriety. A more detailed personal history would have helped in understanding him better. And some of the tangents are simply irrelevent.(For example, instead of Zizek roaming the aisles of Mondo Kim's, I would have preferred him to talk about movies instead. But that's a different film...)[/font]

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Slavoj Zizek

Zizek! (2005)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

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