Mondo cane n. 2

For those who enjoyed the original ‘Mondo Cane', this is a less violent, more entertaining collection of sequences from around the world. Less focused on animals, we are treated to a birds' eye view of the crazy customs practiced on and by people. For those who haven't ever seen a ‘Mondo' film, please start with ‘Mondo Cane' and then come back and read this. ‘Mondo Cane 2' has some very shocking images; the most intense I felt was when we watched a Buddhist monk light himself on fire. Overall, however, the focus is on customs that to a foreign eye seem silly or ridiculous, not so much on these violent acts or situations. Filmmakers Jacopetti and Prosperi are masters at reporting truth much the same way a muckraker reports ‘truth', and simply by editing sequences together construct a convincing story that we humans are obsessed with pain and death. A great watch if you get the chance, and if you're really interested in these films there was a great box set released recently containing almost all of Jacopetti's work. It will probably be hard to find to rent, but keep an eye out if you're interested in documentaries as this is one of the best. Rating: 33/40

Second in the popular shockumentary series is less violent and disturbing than its predecessor, but still has its moments, and packs a punch for squeamish viewers. More bizarre human practices include bug-eating, African slave trade, war, and a dying tribe of primitives in Africa. This last sequence is fairly sad, but most of the other footage is just exploitation for the sake of making another bizarre chronicle of oddities around the world. These films are somewhat educational, but their highly exploitative nature takes away from the credibility. Still, if you liked the first one...

People often give me a strange look when I tell them that Mondo Cane 2 is one of my favorite films of all time. You mean that dated trash? That film full of scenes that were staged or at least severely misrepresented? That film with shots of dying flamingos? That film which invites its viewers to gawk and guffaw at people from different cultures? Well yes, I guess that would be the film I'm talking about.

Yet if you are similarly confused by what anyone could possibly see in Mondo Cane 2, may I humbly suggest that the problem lies not in the film itself but in the viewer. For, taken as a documentary - or even for basic laughs - Mondo Cane 2 is truly not a good film. If you think otherwise, I am deeply concerned about your mental wellbeing. However, viewed from the correct angle, Mondo Cane 2 verges on sublime.

For the true joy of Mondo Cane 2 is not in laughing at people from different cultures, but in watching the film present people from different cultures for laughs. This is meta humor at it's finest. It's hard to believe the filmmakers were not in on this joke too, for some of the scenes are just a little too over the top, the narration just a little too ridiculous, to be taken seriously (even in Mondo movie terms). I mean, was there ever really a room in which frustrated drivers could vent their road rage by throwing tomatoes at a projected driving scene? Probably not. But does that scene not excellently parody the very glimpse of "reality" a Mondo film would offer to its viewers? Undoubtably, especially if you throw in a cheeky English narrator.

And even if we accept that the filmmakers were perhaps not engaging in a meta filmmaking exercise that still feels fresh even 60 years on, it must be admitted that they certainly did know a thing or two about working a camera. While most films from the early 60s have fairly boring static shots, Mondo Cane takes the camera into the scene. You feel like you are part of the action. The film is full of interesting composition and really excellent shots.

Some of the editing is also noteworthy. One of my favorite sections is the photoshoot for the detective novels. The music is silly, but the long pan and mix of fast motion/stills is like something Kubrick would have created. I am not kidding. It's a shame that so many people over the years have dismissed Mondo Cane 2 just because it's one of those "mondo" film. No, Mondo Cane 2 is art. It may not have been created as such, but that's how I choose to view it today.

In my humble opinion, Mondo Cane II is even superior to its predecessor. The British narrator is amazing (make sure to find the cut with him), the scenes are more varied and interesting (if less "shocking"), and the camera work is excellent. Most later mondo film have none of these charms. They are poorly filmed and rely too much on shocks that no longer have much capacity to shock (hello Faces of Death!).

This ride may not be for everyone, but for a certain type of viewer Mondo Cane 2 is difficult to top.

Mondo Cane 2, is a second film in the popular Mondo Cane documentary series. The film is Italian although it is dubbed into English. Like, Mondo Cane this film doesn't just focus on one subject for it's documentary but several rather. Such scenes include Mexican children eating candy in the shape of body parts, a Buddhist who sets himself on fire and a concert where man are slapped to the tune of the music being played. I enjoyed Mondo Cane 2, just like I enjoyed the original Mondo Cane. It is beautifully filmed and all of the scenes right until the very end are fascinating and intriguing. The narrator also gives us some neat facts and during the movie you will once again wonder how some of this footage was filmed. The directors behind Mondo Cane and Mondo Cane 2, would later go on to do more films in the series including Africa: Blood And Guts and Goodbye Uncle Tom. Mondo Cane 2 is another entertaining and fascinating film and I look forward to seeing other films in this very intriguing and entertaining series.

*A guaranteed laugh or more, some may feel like shedding a tear, but all-in-all I thought Mondo Cane 2 was great for a claimed, 'shockumentary'. Far better than the shockumentaries: Faces of Death(which were for the most part fake), and Traces of Death(which was more shocking, but composed of death, accidents, and etc caught on tape accompanied by crappy metal music). The Mondo Cane movies are an Italian version of a National Geographic documentary slapped with sarcasm and exploitation--some of which was amazing footage of the cold hard truth we should all be exposed to. The English dubbing made it easier to watch, yet in some areas they would have done better with subs. The score, like the first's, was appropriate and fun. Overall, it met my expectations after watching the first, and I plan to continue with the series.