This was a successful and integral week in cult films class. First off we had great readings that really put films we’ve watched and this weeks movie, Pink Flamingos, in great perspective. They gave a great understanding of camp (especially Sontags’ ‘Notes on camp’ and Ross’ ‘Uses of Camp’), and all its uses and reasons for. Secondly, those presentations! Damn y’all really rocked it, Emma and Spencer set a great bar for upcoming presentations and kept us entertained and enthused. Like who knew Disney would produce -what seemed to be- a beautifully recognizably dark ass animated film. Whoa did it look spooky! Go Disney for stepping out of their normalities, too bad it wasn’t well received. Props guys! Lastly this weeks screening, wowza what a ride. This movie was horribly obscene yet hilarious and unsettling yet enticing. As Schlegel  says “its all part of the charm,” referring to the singing asshole scene.

A quick synopsis on this wild ride Pink Flamingos–

Two baby selling kidnapping freaks (Connie and Marbles) claim to be filthier than Divine. Divine being the acclaimed filthiest person alive. She and her family then try to sabotage Connie and Marbles with a slew of horrifying events, leading to murder!      DUN DUN DUUUUUNNNNN.

an icon, so odd. I love it.

The article titled “Transgression and Freakery” spoke upon taboo, the grotesque, the abject, and the pure vs the impure. Transgression oozes all over Pink Flamingos, straight up threatening social normalities and morality. The casual approach to everything in the film is asking for the viewers to have some emotional response (the abject), whether it be  shock, confusion, anger, or complete silence. I had to keep reminding myself that this movie was made to offend, and though I was trying not to be, it was unavoidable, this movie was fucking gross and horrific at some points. IM SORRY but who has the nerve to make the viewing of someone being raped with a bloody chicken in a barn… comical? But again it was made to make me feel these types of ways, which also angers me. SO MANY MIXED FEELINGS!!!! Objectively I can totally understand why this film is so noteworthy in film history. Waters broke boundaries and had confidence in his “passionate failure. ” As they noted in the “Transgression and Freakery” article, Pink Flamingos was able to engage with taboos and have no social repercussions.

Let’s speak upon kitsch and camp to round up this rant about this weeks class. Though Waters wasn’t “intending” to have camp and kitsch, oh boy was Pink Flamingos flooded with it. Camp has -as Sontag says- “a decretive art,” which is recognizable in this film. Extravegance and theatrical nature is also relevant among camp and kitsch.

Okay there’s my take on this film, I’m going to have to revisit this one, and do some more research to develop a full formed opinion. Im excited for next weeks movie and the readings. This week really set the stakes high, so we’ll see how next week compares.