Rabbit's Moon

This is perhaps one of Anger's most legendary and yet surpassed unnoticed films. In this, he explores the dark worlds of fantasy and mime as well as the Japanease traditional theatre. The plot, though hard to explain, is better externalised on film then it would be written (unless in the deep, dark dwells of a poet's soul) much less explained. Although in this particular film we see shown, not a depiction, but a symbolism for a magician at his work. This MAGICIAN is a Pee-Wee mime-esquire figure who cannot quite understand his own magical and dark abilities. He seeks the rabbit on the moon, from the Japanease myth. He cannot get the rabbit off the moon, this leaves him in mourning. A lantern appears, given as a gift from the fencer. Appears from the Lantern a land (though small) of fantasy. The princess is seen there. They dance, except for the mime person, who goes deeper into the woods-only to be thrown back into the dwells of it, dead.

Kenneth Anger is among my personal favorite filmmakers. He's extremely underrated, influential, and clever-and has made many of the finest experimental movies of all time. "Rabbit's Moon" is definitely unlike the typical Anger film. While films liked "Scorpio Rising" and "Fireworks" depict strong violence and sexuality throughout, "Rabbit's Moon" is a lighthearted, almost comic fantasy short. It's beautifully made, the sets and cinematography are gorgeous (this is easily the most visually appealing Anger film that I've seen, because all of his other works look a lot cheaper), and it has a dreamlike and surreal mood throughout that really enhances its magic in my opinion. The film is weird, poetic, fun, stunning, and probably the only Kenneth Anger movie suitable for family viewing.

One thing I've noticed while shuffling through IMDBland is that there are a number of people for whom Plot is King. If a movie doesn't have an engaging plot, then it is of no use for such people. I'm not saying that's a bad thing necessarily, although it does seem to limit appreciation of a big chunk of what's out there. But that's the criteria that a lot of people apparently use to judge films.

These people should avoid this film (and probably Kenneth Anger's other works, and, well, a whole lot more besides). This film is about images and poetry, and, while there is sort of a plot, it's pretty minor and doesn't really contribute a lot to the proceedings. If you are the type of person who enjoys the visual aspect of film, and don't really care so much about whether there is a traditional story being told, then I think you will love this little confection. I did. It has a gorgeous look, with the monochromatic blues pulling it all together, and the use of the Commedia Della Arte (sp?) characters gave it an exotic yet familiar feel.

Oh yeah, and the bunny is cute!

There are apparently two versions of this fairly poetic music video all done in mime (and as Anger says in the audio commentary it's indebted to the 'Comedia Dell'arte' in Italy as much as it's in France, the latter where he shot it in 1950), and I saw the one that Anger recut and put a new song to. I'd be curious to see the original version, or if there's more than one as it had doo-wop music and was less sped up. In the 7 minute 1979 version, it's sped up to about 20 frames per second (that's my best guess) so it's not so fast that it gets into Keystone Cops or something, but it's highly stylized.

As to what it's about... well, it's a clown having all of the emotions while under the moon at night. Then another clown comes and the song - It Came in the Night by A Raincoat, which is a ridiculously catchy and fun song that feels like a precursor (or just was part of) New Wave - replays itself. Poetic intent is the name of the game here, and Kenneth Anger wants to have this very sweet-somber-sad story about love being so far away in the moon and then when the other woman clown comes it's... I'm not sure.

Like a music video you can simply enjoy it as a series of shots that cut extremely well to music, which seems to me after seeing a few of his films the director's specialty, and the actor Andre Soubeyran is graceful and a wonderful actor. But having to look up the synopsis of what it's about after seeing it to know that it has a story and an arc is kind of frustrating. Beautiful look and feel, and I'm sure I'd watch it again simply for the technical achievement. Not as impactful as some of his other films, and yet it's still highly watchable and pleasurable as far as cinematography and editing go. 6.5/10

I have only seen the 7 minute version, so I may be missing out on a lot. Anyway, here is the rundown of events in "Rabbit's Moon". Somebody dressed in a clown suit is standing outside looking at the moon. A rabbit appears. Then a court jester appears and does a mime routine. Finally, a woman appears and does a terrible dance. The End.

Maybe I am just too stupid to understand the artistic integrity of this short. All I know is that it is boring and, in my humble opinion, a waste of celluloid and talent.