Arguably my new favourite cinematic sub-genre. Absurdism speaks to the absurdity of human existence through dark comedy and clever satire. These films are not just about absurd ridiculousness.
As a philosophy, broadly, absurdism is the embrace of one's purposelessness in a chaotic and irrational universe, where instead of denying any intrinsic value of life, like a nihilist, or believing it's possible to create our own meaning through the choices we make, like an existentialist, one should instead stare into the face of the absurd and rebel against the meaninglessness of it all.
So, in many of these films, the absurd becomes normal, and normal becomes absurd. Is it the characters and the themes of the story that is absurd, or is it the world on which the story is based? In the world of absurdism, the things we so easily pass off as "normal" in the every day life, is classified as absurd. Death isn't normal, it's absurd. The rules we follow are not normal, they're absurd. It's the absurd politics of our every day life that make us believe all these things are NORMAL. And that's what I love the most about this sub-genre, is its ability to transport me to a world where all my sufferings and grievances are not normal, but absurd. A world where I am not absurd, but the world is.
Funnily enough, I don't believe in nihilism, existentialism, or absurdism, not completely anyway, but I believe in all three to some degree, and one a little more than others. The world is random, and absurd, and we should rebel against all the meaninglessness life throws at us. Never just accept it. It's also a place in which we can give our own existence meaning, and every choice we make matters. And I believe in no God's, or any deeper meaning to life, or a purpose for why we are here, I wholeheartedly believe we give our own lives meaning. So I'm a tiny bit nihilistic, averagely absurd, but I lean more toward existentialism.
And just as I love watching existential films that handle the shortcomings of life in a nuanced melancholic light, and nihilistic movies that handle dark themes in bleak and unflinching ways, I also love films that use absurdism to make the unbearably heavy, bleak world we live in, feel a little bit lighter, more ridiculous, and easier to handle, by drawing bizarre parallels to the problems and mundanities of the real world, and absolutely obliterating them in the most, fun and outlandish ways.
So, with all that being said, here are some of my favourite films that traverse the world of absurdism, starting with 4 of my favourite directors that have mastered the form.
Masters Of Absurdism:
Yorgos Lanthimos: Renowned for his deadpan humor and unconventional narratives, Yorgos Lanthimos subverts expectations with every film he creates. His unique approach to character development and penchant for absurdist scenarios challenge societal norms while simultaneously captivating viewers with their absurd yet thought-provoking nature.
Ruben Östlund:
A maestro of discomfort and absurdity, Ruben Östlund crafts films that dissect the absurdities of human behavior with surgical precision. Through his keen observational eye and unflinching commitment to realism, Östlund's films provoke both laughter and introspection, showcasing the absurdity inherent in everyday life.
Quentin Dupieux:
As a master of absurdist humor, Quentin Dupieux consistently pushes the boundaries of cinematic eccentricity. Through his distinct visual style and offbeat storytelling, Dupieux effortlessly blends the surreal with the comedic, creating a surreal cinematic experience that is as hilarious as it is bizarre.
Peter Strickland:
With an unparalleled knack for blending the surreal with the unsettling, Peter Strickland crafts cinematic experiences that defy conventional storytelling. His meticulous attention to detail and mastery of atmosphere transport audiences into worlds where the absurd becomes the norm, leaving an indelible mark on the psyche.
List Of Movies I Love That Implement Absurdism:
• Everything Everywhere All At Once - The Daniels
• The French Dispatch - Wes Anderson
• The Menu - Mark Mylod
• The Square, Force Majeur & A Triangle Of Sadness - Ruben Östlund
• Poor Things, The Lobster, The Favourite & The Killing Of A Sacred Deer - Yorgos Lanthimos
• Under The Silver Lake - David Robert Mitchell
• Flux Gourmet & In Fabric - Peter Strickland
• Sorry To Bother You - Boots Riley
• In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths & Banshees Of Inisherin - Martin McDonagh
• Deerskin, Mandibles & Rubber - Quentin Dupieux
• Thunder Road, The Wolf Of Snow Hollow & The Beta Test - Jim Cummings
• The Big Lebowski - The Coen's
• The Weird Al Yankovic Story - Eric Appel
• After Hours - Martin Scorsese
• Greener Grass - Jocelyn Deboer & Dawn Luebbe
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