I found it. The worst film I've ever watched, and yes I did watch it from start to finish.
I guess some people's argument of this film being Avant Garde and just "out of the mainstream film-goer's understanding of what a masterpiece is" have merit if you were to go by a quote of the Director himself -
"I make up the rules of a game and I play it. If I seem to be losing, I change the rules."
He can't lose. Anything anyone says to criticize it can be shot down with that quote as a basis.
Examples:
1) It's not entertaining
"well it isn't meant to be"
2) The soundtrack (for lack of a better word at the moment) is too jarring to be enjoyed
"You're missing the point, he didn't want you to enjoy it"
In my opinion, films are meant to be some form of entertainment and they're supposed to be enjoyed. Looking at art at a museum (as some reviews compare this to) is entertainment too, and people who have an interest in art will enjoy it - but comparing this to that is simply not the same. It's comparing apples to syphilis. Can you study syphilis? Sure. Is it pleasant? No.
But another quote by the director gives equal firepower to both the people who like and dislike the film -
"Perception of the work is the on-lookers department."
Do I perceive this film to be unforgettable?
Yes
Do I perceive this film to be good?
Absolutely not, and I think this is where the people in support of this film get confused...
Unforgettable =/= good.
I guess some people's argument of this film being Avant Garde and just "out of the mainstream film-goer's understanding of what a masterpiece is" have merit if you were to go by a quote of the Director himself -
"I make up the rules of a game and I play it. If I seem to be losing, I change the rules."
He can't lose. Anything anyone says to criticize it can be shot down with that quote as a basis.
Examples:
1) It's not entertaining
"well it isn't meant to be"
2) The soundtrack (for lack of a better word at the moment) is too jarring to be enjoyed
"You're missing the point, he didn't want you to enjoy it"
In my opinion, films are meant to be some form of entertainment and they're supposed to be enjoyed. Looking at art at a museum (as some reviews compare this to) is entertainment too, and people who have an interest in art will enjoy it - but comparing this to that is simply not the same. It's comparing apples to syphilis. Can you study syphilis? Sure. Is it pleasant? No.
But another quote by the director gives equal firepower to both the people who like and dislike the film -
"Perception of the work is the on-lookers department."
Do I perceive this film to be unforgettable?
Yes
Do I perceive this film to be good?
Absolutely not, and I think this is where the people in support of this film get confused...
Unforgettable =/= good.