Cult Films Meet-Up: BARBARELLA

Portland Movie Club Meet-Up - Spotlight on "BARBARELLA"
Let's talk about movies! Join Movie Club Member David J. for the next discussion in our cult film series with our second selection derived from French Science Fiction – this time the 1968 space opera “Barbarella,” starring a young Jane Fonda and based on a wildly popular and boundary pushing French comic.

Here's how it works:
1. Just like a book club, we watch the movie before we meet.
2. We'll meet at Lucky Lab at 4pm (map), there will be a sign at our table, or at the least we will make it as obvious as we can who we are (watch for that rowdy bunch waving hands and wearing movie themed T-Shirts) and where we are saving tables and chairs.
3. Grab some food and drinks and spend some enjoyable time discussing this cult movie masterpiece with us.

A little about BARBARELLA
Adapted from Jean-Claude Forest’s adult SF saga, produced by a giant of the Italian movie industry, Dino DeLaurentiis, scripted by the noted satirist from Texas Terry Southern (“Dr. Strangelove,” “The Magic Christian and a contributor to “Easy Rider”), directed by Roger Vadim, who was at the time Jane Fonda’s husband and famous for helping to turn his first wife Brigitte Bardot into an international superstar with his French art-house hit “And God Created Woman” – “Barbarella” was a truly international concoction which honors its source’s pop-art blend of sex, humor and psychedelic space travel.

Anyone expecting a realistic approach to Science Fiction ala “2001: A Space Odyssey,” released the exact same year, should check that attitude at the door. Filled with colorful, eye-popping special effects and a production design that might be described as “early lava lamp,” there’s even a bouncy pop-driven musical score credited in part to Bob Crewe, known for “Big Girls Don’t Cry.” This is just about as far away from Kubrick as you can get.

Viewing Options
Streaming options are reported to include Apple TV, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Fandango, YouTube and Google Play. You might also find it on Paramount Plus since it is a Paramount film. Over the decades the studio has released it on VHS, LaserDisc, DVD and Blu-ray. Arrow Video offers a spectacular boxed edition on 4K UHD Blu ray with a deep well of extra features.

About Cult Films
Sometimes good, almost always interesting, and only somewhat definable (to hijack a phrase from a certain former Supreme Court Justice* when he was talking about a different genre of film, "I know a Cult Film when I see one!"), this very special genre of film can be known for its dedicated fanbases, high-camp kitsch, transgressive ideas, counterculture attitude, polarized reception, and sometimes for artfulness, but far more often for obscurity.

While Cult Films typically defy mainstream criticism, they are rich candidates for open-minded entertainment and interpretation, viewed through a lens that emphasizes their unique perspectives regardless of their financial success or failure.

To be sure, there are many sub-groups of Cult Films including Midnight Movies, Z Movies, and over-looked arthouse cinema. Many cult films exist at the borderline between art and exploitation.

Some of Portland Movie Club Organizer Nick’s favorites are The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Big Lebowski, Plan 9 From Outer Space, Birdemic and Office Space. There's a great writeup of the genre on Wikipedia.

Tips

1. Haven't seen the movie in a while? You're in for a treat - try to watch the movie sometime before we meet. You don't have to watch the movie to join us, but it'll be more fun if you can
2. I usually take a few notes while I watch to keep from forgetting the most interesting stuff. If you think of some interesting discussion topics while you watch, bring 'em with you!

Previous films viewed by “Cult Film” Meet-up members for group discussion have included “Fantastic Planet,” a double feature of “The Brain That Wouldn’t Die” with “The Man With Two Brains,” Takashi Miike's "Audition," “Daisies,” “Jennifer’s Body,” Dolemite in “The Human Tornado,” David Cronenberg’s “Videodrome” and "The Brood," David Lynch’s “Eraserhead,” “Switchblade Sisters,” “The Love Witch,” Ed Wood's “Plan 9 From Outer Space,” Tim Burton’s “Ed Wood,” and Brian DePalma’s “Phantom of The Paradise.”

Coming soon, but not necessarily in this order: a depraved Doris Wishman double feature, early David Cronenberg, a controversial Cannes Film Festival winner, Jess Franco (eventually, I promise!), Italian films that are not giallo, more David Lynch, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Hong Kong cinema and many surprises!

*Former SC Justice Potter Stewart is who I am referring to, if you were wondering.