Story of the Eye 2004
Directed by
Andrew Repasky McElhinney
Made by
ARM/Cinema 25 Pictures Inc.
Plot Summary
In this thrilling tale of unrestrained desire and relentless depravity, an unnamed young man undergoing the tumult of adolescence finds himself drawn into a forbidden romance with his distant cousin, Simone. Their passionate relationship begins unexpectedly when a dare leads them to place Simone’s bare bottom in a cat’s dish of milk, igniting a series of increasingly audacious encounters that continuously challenge the limits of erotic inclinations. As their bond intensifies, they pull their friend Marcelle into their escapades, causing their risqué actions to transform into a public spectacle, one which Simone’s widowed mother is forced to witness.
As their exhibitionist behaviors escalate, they venture toward bizarre pleasures, particularly as Simone becomes fixated on bizarrely inserting soft-boiled eggs into her own body. This obsession triggers a series of tragicomic events, culminating in a sadomasochistic party that leaves Marcelle emotionally fractured. Amid the chaos, the narrator’s family dynamics begin to unravel, prompting him to steal his father’s money and weapon, leading him and Simone to escape the turmoil.
Tragedy soon befalls them when Marcelle’s lifeless body is discovered in a psychiatric hospital, hanging from the ceiling, as Simone and the narrator engage in one last, defiant act of intimacy. Terrified of the repercussions of their actions, the duo flees to Spain, where they encounter Sir Edmund, an English aristocrat who revels in their extremes of hedonism.
Sir Edmund captivates them with his tales of bizarre traditions, including the bizarre ritual of consuming bull’s testicles while watching the infamous matador El Granero in act. This gruesome practice fascinates Simone, who insists on having the raw testicles presented to her while they witness Granero’s bloody demise in a chilling display of bullfighting skills.
As the trio wanders through the decadence of Spain, they are drawn to a Catholic basilica, where Simone seduces a striking priest through a frenzied act of masturbation and confession. Simultaneously, Sir Edmund becomes fixated on defiling the Holy Eucharist, utilizing the priest’s own bodily fluids to mockingly recreate the sacred sacrament.
In an unsettling climax, Simone ultimately strangles the priest during his final moment of ecstasy, removing his right eye and inserting it into her own body while continuing the liaison with the narrator. With the revelations of their heinous crimes spreading, they escape once more, this time embarking on a yacht to Africa, where they yearn to indulge in their indulgent lifestyle, liberated from societal constraints.
As a compelling aside, Bataille reveals a personal note: the mysterious character of Marcelle is subtly influenced by his experiences with his own mother, who dealt with bipolar disorder. Furthermore, the narrator’s intricate relationship with his father echoes Bataille’s own struggles with paternal absenteeism, blurring the lines between his fiction and personal life. In a later edition intended for an English-speaking audience, commentators Roland Barthes and Susan Sontag enrich the narrative with insightful analysis, shedding light on the themes and driving forces behind the provocative events that unfold.
Timeline
Forbidden Romance Begins
An unnamed young man embarks on a tumultuous relationship with his cousin Simone, igniting a journey into unrestrained passion. Their connection is initiated through a daring act that combines humor and audacity, ultimately laying the foundation for their controversial love affair.
First Audacious Encounter
A dare leads to an unexpected, intimate moment where Simone’s bare bottom is placed in a cat's dish of milk. This initial escapade opens the doors to a series of increasingly risqué behaviors that push their boundaries and challenge societal norms.
Involvement of Marcelle
As the relationship deepens, the young couple roped their friend Marcelle into their bold escapades. Together, they become embroiled in actions that spiral into a public spectacle, which catches the critical eye of Simone’s widowed mother.
Simone’s Obsession with Eggs
Simone develops a peculiar fixation with soft-boiled eggs, incorporating them into her intimate life. This obsession leads to a string of bizarre incidents, highlighting the extremes of her and the narrator's venture into forbidden pleasures.
Marcelle’s Emotional Crisis
The escalating exhibitionist behaviors culminate in a chaotic sadomasochistic party, which leaves Marcelle emotionally shattered. This tragicomic event is a turning point that starkly represents the dark consequences of their reckless indulgences.
Stealing for Escape
Faced with unraveling family dynamics, the narrator resorts to stealing money and a weapon from his father. This desperate act sets the stage for a harrowing escape alongside Simone as they flee the chaos surrounding them.
Marcelle’s Tragic Death
The discovery of Marcelle's lifeless body in a psychiatric hospital marks a heartbreaking moment for the narrator and Simone. This tragic turn of events weighs heavily on them as they grapple with the implications of their lifestyle choices.
Flight to Spain
Terrified and seeking freedom, Simone and the narrator escape to Spain, leaving behind the aftershocks of their prior behavior. Here they encounter Sir Edmund, a charismatic English aristocrat who introduces them to a world of hedonistic extremes.
Encountering Sir Edmund
Sir Edmund shares captivating tales of bizarre cultural traditions, including a gruesome ritual involving bull's testicles. This shocking practice fuels Simone's curiosity, driving the group deeper into debauchery.
Bullfighting Spectacle
The trio witnesses the infamous matador El Granero in a chilling display of bullfighting, which ends in a violent and bloody conclusion. Simone's fixation on the macabre leads her to demand the raw testicles to be presented to her during this shocking event.
Seduction in the Basilica
In an unexpected twist, Simone seduces a striking priest within a Catholic basilica through a frenzied act that intertwines lust and spirituality. This act lays bare the depths of their depravity and the blurred lines between sacred and profane.
Defiling the Holy Eucharist
While Simone engages with the priest, Sir Edmund's obsession takes a disturbing turn as he mocks the sacrament by contaminating it with the priest's bodily fluids. This act of sacrilege drives home the depths of their moral decay.
The Climax of Violence
In a stark culmination of their vile desires, Simone strangles the priest at the height of his ecstasy, claiming his eye in a grotesque act of possession. This shocking act underscores the depths of her depravity and obsession.
Escape to Africa
With the weight of their heinous crimes haunting them, Simone and the narrator board a yacht bound for Africa, seeking to indulge in their liberated lifestyle without societal limitations. This journey symbolizes their continuous flight from accountability.
Reflections on Personal Influence
Bataille subtly intertwines his personal life into the narrative, revealing Marcelle's character as influenced by his mother's struggles with mental illness. The narrator's tumultuous relationship with his father further blurs the line between fiction and biography.
Characters
Simone
Simone is a deeply complex character entangled in forbidden desires and unconventional behaviors. Her fixation on provocative acts drives the narrative and reveals her struggle for autonomy and acceptance. As she explores her sexuality, her journey becomes increasingly tumultuous and tragic.
Marcelle
Marcelle serves as a catalyst for the escalating tension in the story. As the friend drawn into Simone and the narrator's escapades, he grapples with emotional turmoil and ultimately faces tragic consequences. His character reflects the impact of emotional struggles amidst chaotic aspirations.
Sir Edmund
Sir Edmund is a charming yet morally ambiguous character who embodies hedonism. His influence propels Simone and the narrator deeper into indulgence, exposing them to extreme experiences. His fascination with bizarre traditions adds an unsettling layer to their escapades.
Setting
Time period
The movie captures a timeless exploration of youthful rebellion and the tumult of adolescence. This period is marked by a search for identity, desire, and the consequences of indulgence, which shape the characters’ actions.
Location
Spain, Africa
Spain is a vibrant country known for its rich culture, historic architecture, and passionate traditions like bullfighting. The adventures of the characters unfold against this backdrop, infused with the allure of hedonism. Africa serves as a symbol of liberation and exploration, representing a longing to escape societal constraints.
Themes
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Desire
The theme of desire permeates the narrative, exploring the boundaries of human passion and obsession. As the characters engage in increasingly audacious encounters, their relationships deepen, revealing the complexities and consequences of unchecked lust.
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Rebellion
Rebellion is central to the story, manifesting through the characters' defiance of societal norms. Their daring escapades challenge morality and lead to tragic outcomes, highlighting the dangers of pursuing freedom without restraint.
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Loss
Loss unfolds as a tragic theme throughout the movie, affecting the characters profoundly. The discovery of Marcelle's death and the emotional aftermath serve as a somber reflection on the costs of their reckless pursuits and the fragility of life.
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