Review by tonstant viewer

This film has some splendid images, some awful performances by some very good actors, and a lot of the symbolic code that enabled Eastern European directors to get their messages out under the censorship of repressive regimes.

But far more interesting than any of these is the book Simon Callow wrote about the process of making this film called "Shooting the Actor," which is an eye-opening look into the process of film-making in general and this picture in particular. Even more stimulating is the fact that Callow's acid memoir is occasionally interrupted by stinging rebuttals from the director, Dusan Makavejev.

I think the book will do more to keep this film alive than any interest generated by the film itself. Experience both, and you will find the encounter very worth while.