Here’s the first prompt: Write 3000 word essay about the theme of destruction in the 1966 film, Daisies, directed by Věra Chytilová. Compare and contrast professional and scholarly arguments about the film, consider the historical context of the film where necessary. Provide at least 5 secondary-source citations in Chicago author-date format, and a bibliography at the end.

Introduction

Daisies is a 1966 Czechoslovakian film directed by Věra Chytilová. It is a satirical film about two young women who engage in a series of destructive activities in response to what they perceive as a world that is meaningless and lacking in direction. The film is notable for its unconventional storytelling techniques, as well as its bold use of color and surreal imagery. The theme of destruction is central to the film, as the two main characters set out to destroy everything in their path, including food, clothing, and even men. This essay will explore the theme of destruction in Daisies, and will compare and contrast professional and scholarly arguments about the film. In addition, it will provide historical context for the film, and will incorporate at least five secondary-source citations in Chicago author-date format.

Historical Context

Daisies was released in 1966, during a period of great social and political upheaval in Czechoslovakia. In 1968, the country would experience the Prague Spring, a period of political liberalization that was ultimately crushed by Soviet intervention. The film was made during a period of relative artistic freedom, and it reflects the spirit of experimentation and rebellion that was characteristic of the era.

At the same time, however, the film was also produced within the context of the Communist Party's attempts to control the arts. The Party had recently adopted a policy of "normalization," which aimed to bring the country back into line with Soviet-style communism after the brief period of liberalization that had occurred under Alexander Dubček. This policy involved a crackdown on artistic freedom, and many artists were forced to conform to the Party's ideological dictates. In this context, Daisies can be seen as a subversive work of art that challenges the Party's authority and celebrates individualism and nonconformity.

Theme of Destruction

The theme of destruction is central to Daisies, as the two main characters, Marie I (Jitka Cerhová) and Marie II (Ivana Karbanová), engage in a series of destructive activities. At the beginning of the film, they are shown cutting up vegetables and destroying furniture, all while proclaiming that the world is "spoiled" and "rotten." They then proceed to engage in a series of increasingly outrageous acts, such as dining on food they have stolen from a banquet hall and destroying a man's apartment after he fails to show up for a date.

Throughout the film, the Maries express a sense of disillusionment with the world around them. They see everything as meaningless and corrupt, and they respond to this perceived lack of meaning by engaging in acts of destruction. In this way, the film can be seen as a commentary on the state of Czechoslovakia during the 1960s. The Maries' sense of disillusionment reflects the widespread feeling of frustration and dissatisfaction that was prevalent among young people at the time.

Professional Arguments

Professional critics have offered a range of interpretations of Daisies. Some have seen the film as a feminist statement, with the Maries representing a kind of anarchic female empowerment. Others have interpreted the film as a reflection of the nihilism and hopelessness that characterized Czechoslovakia during the 1960s. Still, others have seen the film as a kind of absurdist satire, in which the Maries' destructive behavior is intended to be humorous rather than serious.

One of the most prominent critics of the film is Antonín J. Liehm, who wrote extensively about Czechoslovakian cinema during the 1960s. In his book, Closely Watched Films: The Czechoslovak Experience, Liehm argues that Daisies is a film about the failure of language. He

I started looking into whether I needed to upgrade my ChatGPT subscription to get a longer essay, but decided to try something dumb first. Prompt: Did you just stop in the middle of a sentence at the end there?

Apologies for the mistake. It seems that I did not finish the sentence. I will continue from where I left off: He suggests that the Maries' nonsensical conversations and their disregard for language reflect a sense of frustration with the limitations of communication. Liehm sees the film as a reflection of the general sense of disorientation and confusion that was prevalent in Czechoslovakia during the 1960s.

Scholarly Arguments

Scholarly analysis of Daisies has tended to focus on the film's use of surrealist imagery and its innovative narrative structure. Some scholars have argued that the film's fragmented, nonlinear structure reflects a kind of subversive resistance to traditional narrative techniques. Others have seen the film as a commentary on the role of women in society, with the Maries representing a kind of feminist rebellion against patriarchal norms.

One scholar who has written extensively about Daisies is Marsha Kinder, who argues that the film is an example of what she calls "alternative cinema." According to Kinder, alternative cinema is characterized by a rejection of dominant cinematic conventions and a celebration of nonconformity and experimentation. Daisies, in her view, is a prime example of this kind of cinema, with its use of bold colors, surreal imagery, and unconventional narrative structure.

Another scholar who has written about Daisies is Ewa Mazierska, who argues that the film reflects the cultural and political context of Czechoslovakia during the 1960s. According to Mazierska, the film can be seen as a kind of rebellion against the ideological conformity that was required under Communist rule. The Maries' destructive behavior, she suggests, represents a kind of refusal to conform to the rules and regulations of the Communist Party.