Film Forum

(2014) Presented by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and Darren Aronofsky, winner of the Golden Lion (top prize) at the 2014 Venice Film Festival, and a Film Forum premiere in 2015, PIGEON is a meticulously crafted, dreamlike black comedy that completes the “Living Trilogy” by acclaimed Swedish filmmaker Roy Andersson (joining SONGS FROM THE SECOND FLOOR and YOU, THE LIVING – Film Forum premieres in 2002 and 2009, respectively). Traveling novelty salesmen Sam and Jonathan (“a comedic duo who would be right at home in a Samuel Beckett or Tom Stoppard play” – Variety) take us on a kaleidoscopic tour of the human condition in reality and fantasy, unfolding in absurdist episodes: a sing-along at a 1940s beer hall, a randy flamenco teacher, a thirsty King Charles XII of Sweden en route to battle, and a diabolical visual and musical metaphor for the horrors inflicted by European colonialism. Inspired by the paintings of Otto Dix and Georg Scholz, Andersson underscores both the tragic and the trivial. DCP. Approx. 100 min. In Swedish with English subtitles.

This screening is presented in association with Film Forum’s run of the documentary on Roy Andersson, BEING A HUMAN PERSON, opening July 2.

Reviews

“The wittiest, most engaging black comedy I’ve seen in ages.”
– Tony Pipolo, Artforum

“Rarely has the contemplation of life’s potential meaninglessness been so delightful. World cinema may have no better builder of delightful scenes than Roy Andersson.”
– Alan Scherstuhl, Village Voice

“Critic’s Pick. Roy Andersson is a brilliant joker.”
– A. O. Scott, The New York Times

“A masterfully droll portrait of life on earth. Brilliantly odd black comedy… like nothing you’ve ever seen before.”
– Cath Clarke, Time Out NY

Links