tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2316228451187611813.post8010379430450729822..comments2024-01-28T19:45:11.660-08:00Comments on At the Mansion of Madness: Simona / Passion (1974)Giovanni Susinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253382939348997303noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2316228451187611813.post-48345888569902808982017-03-14T19:09:18.618-07:002017-03-14T19:09:18.618-07:00Awesome comment, Terence! Thank you! I'm reall...Awesome comment, Terence! Thank you! I'm really glad you liked Simona; although that closing scene depresses me too. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have known about Spirits of Death, which is so different than Simona overall but does have the similarities you mention.<br /><br />That metaphysical feel really is fantastic here. It is more than looking into a metaphysical painting but rather entering it and experiencing it, maybe even a little like Asia walking into a painting in Stendhal Syndrome. <br /><br />I didn't catch that only Marcelle could see the living statues, but I do see it now. I also saw it as a kind of merging of space and time, with a lost sense of past and present that might tie in to Marcelle's perceived reality given her gilded cage situation.<br /> <br />Agreed that the ether plane meeting between the two female leads is breath taking, a display of their spiritual union.<br /><br />I didn't see Malizia until after this one, and the two films were so different, I don't even consider them a good double billing, despite Antonelli's top billing. I still enjoyed Malizia, a much more highly regarded film, but Simona is the one for me. Giovanni Susinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03253382939348997303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2316228451187611813.post-4925557665195153402017-03-14T01:31:37.632-07:002017-03-14T01:31:37.632-07:00This was beautiful... I was re-watching Spirits of...This was beautiful... I was re-watching Spirits of Death and was inspired by the start where Ida Galli is trapped in her gilded cage of a castle and I realized that I needed to get around to Simona (which coincidentally also has a Fiorenzo Carpi score).<br /><br />I got a very metaphysical feel from this film. It even looked like a metaphysical painting. Though the characters occupy the same space, they all seem to exist in separate realities. e.g. Only Marcelle can see those Greek statues making obscene gestures, Simone's mother is lost in her own past, and like you mention, there's that sense of frozen time in the mansion. Even the uncle's flashback feels like a different reality with all those clothes hanging off the trees. My favourite scene would have to be the ether plane moment with Simone and Marcelle embracing. I was so breathtaken by that shot of the two women in lucent robes entering the lake at twilight. Reminded me a little of the silent film Rapsodia Satanica.<br /><br />It's interesting how it starts off frivolous and erotic but becomes increasingly fantastical and tragic. People expecting another Malizia definitely would've been in for a surprise (which probably explains the unfairly low IMDb score). I can't say I liked the ending but only because it made me feel really depressed. Really glad to have seen this thanks to your review! An underrated fantasia.Terencehttp://chickswithcandles.tumblr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2316228451187611813.post-29346998247453080312015-01-18T14:50:42.291-08:002015-01-18T14:50:42.291-08:00Your reasons for maintaining the Mansion sound fam...Your reasons for maintaining the Mansion sound familiar. I find it all pretty gratifying, too. Please feel free to kick off that testimonials column!Brandon Earlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04428583919973903171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2316228451187611813.post-60693320905150259442015-01-15T19:04:55.816-08:002015-01-15T19:04:55.816-08:00Thanks Brandon! Your first sentence has inspired m...Thanks Brandon! Your first sentence has inspired me to start one of those testimonial quote columns. Would it be all right if I quoted you? It’s definitely specific to this blog and feels like an accomplishment that I’m too humble to admit myself.<br /> <br />In addition to being a great form of writing exercise, a nice way to give a little more meaning to my Eurocult obsession, and a creative outlet, I get a great sense of gratification with each post, so I don’t have any intentions to stop film blogging. There are still many more film articles/critiques/analysis/synopsis/personal reflections/opinions to come. I do love keeping this little place going. <br />Giovanni Susinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03253382939348997303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2316228451187611813.post-29846872113351638882015-01-14T21:08:19.519-08:002015-01-14T21:08:19.519-08:00A visit to the Mansion always feels like a master ...A visit to the Mansion always feels like a master class in foreign film. The movies under discussion are often titles about which I was previously unaware, and I never have any doubt that the info provided is well researched, accurate, and thoughtful. <br /><br />I was sorry to hear of JD's decision to retire from blogging for the time being, but I certainly hope your affiliation with Blood Sucking Geek doesn't portend a pending retirement for you, as well. What the hell am I going to read then?<br /><br />Interesting and informative article, as always.<br />Brandon Earlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04428583919973903171noreply@blogger.com