water-5

In this movie, Kinski gives his last great performance as the 19th century italian violin virtuoso Nicolo Paganini. People even say that Kinski is his reincarnation. At least, what we can say is that Kinski adopted the violin player's lifestyle. Paganini, in his time, was considered the first "rock star" even though rock wasn't even invented yet because he lived a life saturated with late parties, orgies and sexcapades of all kinds. No moral law, Carpe Diem all the way! Kinski was working on this project since the early 1970s. It was his little baby. And even though its narration is without any narration, with no genuinelike biographical anecdotes, its incoherent editing illustrates with wit, passion and violence what the murky worlds of Paganini and Kinski were all about. But beware, sensible people should pass this one.

Politically engaged in all his films (and books), Pierre Falardeau might be the biggest mouth of cinema in Quebec but at least he has something to say. (contrarily to I would say 90% of film makers) This movie is about a liberal federalist who worships Elvis. This caricatural archetype (Elvis Gratton)represents the mass of people who voted "NO" in the 1980 referendum for the separation of Quebec from the rest of Canada. The film is like a big satire of those people. They are ridiculized because of the directors' opinion. When you are informed about the political situation and history of Québec, you can understand the other level of lecture present in the movie. The comedy aspect of the movie is there to appeal to the kind of people who like "stupid" movies. But in fact, this is far from being a stupid one.

by the way, Julien Poulin is GREAT! and so is Denise Mercier in this wise and hilarious burlesque picture!

Werner Herzog exceeds the unimaginable. With extraordinary images and landscapes, he gives you the desire to see his other movies like Aguirre, Fitzcarraldo and Woyzeck. Isabelle Adjani is terrific as usual, and what to say about Klaus Kinski...WHAT A PRESENCE!