On corruption and sex, erogenous zones, random observations
CONTAINS SPOILERS.
Anyone who has seen Dogtooth will be struck with how the treatment of the children has rendered them not only completely unable to function in human society, but has also made them somewhat 'animal like'.
No concept of right from wrong, no feelings of revulsion at slaying a kitten, bashing and slicing one another, or knocking one's tooth out in the crudest way imaginable.
Of particular strangeness, bordering on unrealism, is the lack of any sexual desire for both the Son and the Daughters, and lack of a concept of an erogenous zone, for the Daughters.
The Son merely obediently lines up to be relieved of his urges by Christina, as though a dog dutifully would as instructed by Master. No looking forward to the act, which is treated with the ambivalence of an asexual being.
The eldest Daughter does not even seem to possess feeling in her erogenous zone. Not simply feeling no shame in going on all fours while licking your friend's privates in exchange for tacky plastic gifts, but no concept of sexual stimulation itself - all parts of the body are treated the same, none more special than any other.
It is as though Dogtooth is saying that not only are the various complex human emotions surrounding sex (joy, yearning, jealousy, shame, guilt), but sexual desire itself are not innate to humanity, but imposed by (outer, corrupting) societal influences. How much is human nature learned, what is human, what is beast?
Perhaps suggesting that being raised in a 'normal' household in contact with the wider society will result in feelings of shame and guilt surrounding sex, but will also instil a desire in pursuing sexual stimulation that would not otherwise exist.
Interesting concept, and even if Dogtooth does take it to the extreme, the film certainly deserves credit for exploring it. No other film I have seen has raised 'the corrupting power of society on human sexuality', at least not so honestly and directly (feel free to enlighten me with suggestions).
Bruce banished from the Garden of Eden, indeed.
Random observations:
I feel this film would be more subversive in its native Greece and in other countries where young adults are encouraged to live at home with their parents more so than English speaking viewers of the film would be accustomed to. The attitude and behaviour of the parents would not seem quite so far fetched, thus producing even greater repulsion.
Not only politically relevant (Orwell, totalitarian regimes), but for cults as well, especially where children have been born and raised within a cult. Case in point: Aum Supreme Truth.
When I watched the film, and before reading any detailed reviews, I thought Christina was also one of the daughters, who was possibly allowed for some reason to hold down a job at the local factory, but still under the family's spell so wouldn't leave. Only after reading reviews did I finally realise she was an actual 'outsider', not even a relative.
Reminded me of Haneke's 'The White Ribbon', with regard to innocence corrupted, extremism, the capacity of children to do harm, guiltlessly.
Great, deadpan scene: The Son, who resembles as I'd imagine a Russian cosmonaut, ernestly laps up 2 full glasses of orange juice poured by his mostly 'out of shot' mother. He gives a blank look to show his satisfaction.