Cold Head
Cold Head

Movie spotlight

Cold Head

1970
Movie
13 min
French

Shots of a car speeding down the road are intercut with kinky sex flashes (a woman with a whip rides a guy, for instance). Then the car crashes into a tree, the male driver (Christian Chaix) is decapitated and the bloody, injured female (Marie-Paule Mailleux) scoops up his head and returns to her home. There, she cleans herself and the head off, prepares dinner for herself and the head, buys the head a Ken Doll to keep it company, puts the head on a mannequin's body and then has a series of strange hallucinations, which include having sex with her bloodied lover, dancing in a room by herself with a spotlight, etc. Things culminate in her having sex with the head and then throwing it into the trash bin.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Director: Robert KramerGenres: Documentary, Political

Plot Summary

This documentary offers a critical look at American foreign policy and military intervention, focusing on the Vietnam War. Director Robert Kramer interviews various individuals, including soldiers, politicians, and activists, to explore the complexities and ethical dilemmas surrounding the conflict. The film challenges official narratives and presents a raw, often confrontational perspective on the United States' role in global affairs. It delves into themes of power, resistance, and the human cost of war.

Critical Reception

Robert Kramer's 'Cold Head' is a highly regarded, albeit challenging, political documentary that was influential in its time. It is praised for its unflinching directness and its commitment to exposing the darker aspects of American foreign policy. While its confrontational style and dense political analysis may not appeal to all viewers, critics at the time and retrospectively acknowledge its importance as a piece of radical cinema and a potent anti-war statement. Its impact is often discussed in the context of counter-cultural filmmaking and critical documentary practice.

What Reviewers Say

  • A powerful and uncompromising examination of American imperialism.

  • Its direct, confrontational style is both its strength and its potential barrier to entry.

  • Considered a landmark in radical political documentary filmmaking.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for 'Cold Head' is not readily available. However, discussions around the film generally highlight its intellectual rigor and its provocative stance on political issues.

Fun Fact

Director Robert Kramer was known for his highly personal and politically charged filmmaking style, often incorporating elements of direct cinema and experimental approaches into his documentaries.

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