The Daily Dig: Black Moon (1975)

An indigestible expression of art like an acid trip in a museum, “Black Moon” drops an intriguing plot for moments of psychosis.

Fleeing a war between man and woman, Lily finds a cottage in the woods with an eccentric family, pixie-like children, and their odd beasts. Let’s dig into 1975’s BLACK MOON, directed by Louis Malle!

As I See It

Escaping an ongoing war between man and woman, Lily finds herself in a fantastical world at a sprawling estate in the woods. Oversized, engorged animals, including a stubby unicorn, serve as unsettling markers for what becomes a descent into a world of innocence lost.

The juxtaposition of a child’s innocence and the reality of war on the soul of society co-exists on screen.

If this is supposed to be some surrealistic, adult interpretation of Alice in Wonderland, then that would make the White Rabbit the old lady whom Lily slaps to death. I don’t seem to recall the Mad Hatter breastfeeding the rabbit back to life, though.

Much of the dialogue exists in the minds of the actors.

This is a novel approach to filmmaking. I’m all for experimentation, but I don’t think it works. This all adds to how unattainable Malle makes the entire film.

Even at the end, where the war seems to approach the outskirts of the property, and we see explosions and hear gunshots, you still can’t figure out what is going on. Lily’s reaction to the melee is jumping into the old woman’s bed and playing with the radio.

Life is but a dream, sweetheart.

Famous Faces

Joe Dallesandro (Brother Lily) was in an earlier Dig, The Killer Nun, as well as John Waters’ musical hit Cry-Baby, which starred Johnny Depp.

Of Gratuitous Nature

Children in their natural state are running about. Lily breast-feeds the old woman (and the unicorn). It’s hard to dance around the fact that Cathryn Harrison was fifteen at the time. I don’t know what the laws were then, and I don’t care to research them. Obviously, none of this would fly anymore, and for good reasons.

Heartthrob

My goodness, Alexandra Stewart (Sister Lily) is gorgeous. She’s forceful and intimidating, especially mounted on a horse. I can’t leave Joe Dallesandro (Brother Lily) out, though. The man is beautiful.

Ripe for a Remake

An artistic expression such as this can not and should not be duplicated. Malle took a fever dream and committed it to film. It is his, and his alone.

Spawns

No progeny to report.

Where to Watch

Black Moon is available as part of the Criterion Collection on Blu-Ray. You can stream it on the Criterion Channel.