Surviving Desire

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Hal Hartley in person! Plus the shorts AMBITION and THEORY OF ACHIEVEMENT.

“Seen partly by Hartley as a workshop experiment providing an opportunity to tell an unresolved story, film a rock band, and choreograph a dance number, [SURVIVNG DESIRE] nevertheless bears a strong resemblance to his feature work proper. About a lecturer in literature (Martin Donovan) whose obsession with Dostoyevsky is replaced by an infatuation with one of his students (Mary Ward), it’s packed with literary allusions, ironic wit, sparkling non-naturalistic banter, and moments of playful formal experimentation (most notably a deliciously absurd street dance performed without music). The cast of Hartley regulars makes the most of the droll, discursive dialogue, the saturated primary colours are a joy to behold, and there’s the usual concentration on themes relating to trust, ambition, and the solaces and dangers of living too cerebrally. Great fun.” – Time Out (London)

• Country USA
• Rating NR
• Year 1991
• Director Hal Hartley

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.