Monday, October 3, 2011

Terrence Malick Falls Asleep During Tree of Life Screening; Nobody Seems to Notice.



Terrence Malick was caught snoozing over the weekend during a special screening of  his latest film, The Tree of Life, which is about the majesty of the sun as it makes all metaphors possible and Brad Pitt wearing a fedora while beating his kids or something. GPS found the director after the event, and his explanation for his heavy eyelids isn't what you'd expect. On second thought, maybe it is.


When asked how in the world he could allow himself to pass out during his own damn movie, the director said, "I didn't fall asleep. I wanted to experience the film on another level of consciousness."

At that point, I had to bite and asked how that turned out for him. "Not so well," the director confessed. "It was a lot darker than I had hoped. And my mother was there. I haven't processed it all yet, but I think I might have to make a film about it."

Fortunately for the polarizing filmmaker, he wasn't the only one in the theater trying to alter consciousness levels.

Malick, circled in red, was in good company for his screening of The Tree of Life.

Not everyone was fully aware of exactly what happened during the film, as Anna Merkel, one of the audience members, told us after it was over. "It was the masterpiece of masterpieces; every image held the weight of the world in it. The Christian symbolism was obvious yet not overbearing." Upon being asked to give a brief plot synopsis, Merkel wasn't quite as glowing. "Honestly, I just woke up. Everything's a bit hazy. I remember....Earth. Sean Penn looking sad....the rest is...a bit...I dunno."

The lights outside the theater proved too much for Anna Merkel, who just woke up.

In related news, the U.S. government has begun looking into what role, if any, movies can play as an effective mass sedative on enemy combatants during times of war. More on that story as it becomes available. As for Malick and his alertness problem, that's for him to deal with.

14 comments:

  1. So I take it you didn't like The Tree of Life? :)

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  2. I have yet to form my opinion of it. This is pretty much going off of reputation more than anything.

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  3. I have this to watch, and yet I feel like I really do not want to!! LOL is it really boring?

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  4. Haha! Another brilliant post! It was really easy to fall asleep during Tree Of Life.

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  5. I have seen this film.....never before on this site has a satire piece been more true. Dull....boring....overly pretentious.....that's Tree of Life.

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  6. Markus, i dont know you but i know enough to guess you're dull, boring and pretentious as well...just a feeling.

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  7. This makes me laugh but I feel Tree of Life still deserves to be seen. I'll make up my mind once I've seen it. I absolutely have no idea how I'd feel about it, which is all the more intriguing I think.

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  8. @Anonymous We don't know you because your name is Anonymous. Is that like hip-hop-anonymous?

    @ruth I agree, there's nothing wrong with seeing it and making up your own mind. For instance, I like Magnolia. Go figure.

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  9. @Anonymous.....I don't know you either, but I know you must lack the self confidence to be proud of your convictions and tell us your name.

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  10. ""I didn't fall asleep. I wanted to experience the film on another level of consciousness.""

    Awesome.

    I found the best way to watch it is to alternate back and forth between different levels of consciousness. At one point I gave myself a chokehold just to see what the pretty colors on screen would do. It was phenomenal.

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  11. To be fair to those who may appreciate Malick......His cup of tea is sleepytime, that's just not my brand ;)

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  12. @Dylan That sounds like a Stan Brakhage technique. Sorry, I have him on the brain ever since Joanna mentioned him in her introduction on your site.

    @Markus Sleepytime must be enjoyed with dimmed lights, scented candles, and steak tartare. Preferably while reading The New Yorker.

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  13. I bet Malick wasn't the only one who fall asleep during the screening. LOL. :)

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  14. @Nebular Correct you are, sir. The entire GPS staff fell under its spell. Other people were checking their watches and shit. One guy passed out in the isle while trying to make it to the bathroom.

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