The Garden

great!

This is probably down to my own inadequacies because I love a lot of Derek Jarman stuff. Very good for insomnia though!

The subject and form of this film will not be to everyones taste. However, for fans of Jarman's work, it is a masterpiece. As a commentary on how gay people are treated in contemporary society, it is a painful, forthright and occasionally blistering experience. The visuals are quite extraordinary, as are the violent juxtapositions in form and content. Not an easy film, certainly, and one which may take time to reveal it's poetic richness and complexity. The use of biblical imagery and themes is masterful, if somewhat challenging to the more orthodox viewer. If some are often outre and disturbing they are always acute and telling observations which cannot be easily dismissed. They are neither self-indulgent nor obscene - as has often been stated. Moreover they are the acute observations of a brilliant creative mind which- in the case of Jarman- had a major and profound influence on not only British independent cinema, but how people of different orientation are perceived within civil society. So, for those who are prepared to engage with this film for the full 90mts,and are open to considering its profound and moving arguments, I suspect that they will be more than amply rewarded. For others ... well there's always James Bond... ( Who I do like too by the way!!)

Ok, I'll film any old cr... footage on my camera, piece it together and then make it into a film. Same with the Turner Prize for art!It's not what you know but who you know within any world/occupation.Best to watch when drunk and stoned! Unfortunately, i'm over half a century old now and see this as a loud of balls!

The Garden is a collagefilm, combining images, shot on super 8 with a soundtrack by long time collaborator Simon Fisher Turner that consists of music, noises, soundcapes and spoken words; it's a sort of follow up to Jarman's The Last of England (1987) in which he used the same techniques. The result is nevertheless nothing like 'the same' but inspiring new and of a staggering beauty. A gay couple represents Jesus and through a series of surreal and absurd visuals, the passion and condemning of Christ is being represented. There is no story told out loud, it's within the subconscious of the movie itself, and within that of the viewer. Never has a 'homemovie' been so professionally done that is is suitable for a large (cinema) audience, and yet, it's still one of the most personal cinematic confessions a filmmaker can create; in this paradox lies its true power.

I bought this dvd after viewing some reviews, not all on this site, but what a waste of money - arty farty rubbish - if you haven't bought it - DON'T.