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When I came across Tideland at Blockbuster, I wondered why I haven’t heard about it. It’s the latest from ex-Pythoner Terry Gilliam, director of such classics as Brazil, Adventures of Baron Munchausen and Twelve Monkeys. The film’s protagonist is a young girl who escapes harsh reality by drifting “into a bizarre fantasy world where only her dolls’ heads keep her company.” Hmmm, popular theme nowadays (Pan’s Labyrinth, anyone?). This should be interesting, I thought. And it’s got Jeff Bridges.

I rented it.

The film opens with Terry Gilliam facing the camera, in noir lighting, à la Rod Serling, but in a black t-shirt, saying:

Hello. I’m Terry Gilliam and I have a confession to make: many of you are not going to like this film. Many of you, luckily, are going to love it. And then, there are many of you who aren’t going to know what to think when the film finishes. But hopefully, you’ll be thinking.

I should explain. This film is seen through the eyes of a child. If it’s shocking, it is because it’s innocent. So I suggest you try to forget everything you’ve learned as an adult, the things that limit your view of the world, your fears, your prejudices, your preconceptions. Try to rediscover what it was like to be a child, with a sense of wonder, and innocence, and don’t forget to laugh. Remember, children are strong. They’re resilient. They’re designed to survive. When you drop them, they tend to bounce.

I was sixty-four years old when I made this film. I think I finally discovered the child within me. It turned out to be a little girl.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[fade out]

“Remember, children are strong. They’re resilient. They’re designed to survive. When you drop them, they tend to bounce.” I do believe children are strong and resilient, but I dare you to tell that to actual young victims of horrible circumstances, Mr. Gilliam – like the ones written about in websites like this.

I want to know one thing, Mr. Gilliam. Why did you go there?

Tags: film, Terry-Gilliam, Tideland

This entry was posted on Monday, March 12th, 2007 at 11:51 pm and is filed under Entertainment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.