"Inception"
ethereal films
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Really? I mean, I like Inception a lot, but it feels like the exact opposite of "ethereal" to me, with all its exposition, all-business storytelling, and its endless rules governing the dreamworlds; in other words it's an extremely literal, Nolan-y take on the central concept, for lack of a better term. A movie that I think fits that description much better would be Aguirre: The Wrath Of God, with its haunting Popol Vuh score, sloth-like pace, and surreal imagery/tone, even during its more disturbing moments; it's probably the movie that comes the closest to just feeling like a straight-up fever dream, now that I think of it.
I see your point. I found the layers of bending reality and symbolism disorienting. Especially the late scene in the ruined coastal city I thought was quite ethereal. However, I may be cherry-picking scenes to reach that conclusion. I almost didn't include it on my list, so it doesn't surprise me that there would be objections to the choice. Fringy at best.
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders
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"What Drams May Come" was the first film I thought of. Ridley Scott's "Legend" a quick second. Not sure how good they are, but they are certainly strongly ethereal as I understand the word. Aronofski's "The Fountain" and "Mother." "The Others" Antonioni's "Red Desert." Sci-fi: "The Arrival"and "Inception"
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Son Of The White Mare
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I may be stating the obvious but how about Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast?
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I see your point. I found the layers of bending reality and symbolism disorienting. Especially the late scene in the ruined coastal city I thought was quite ethereal. However, I may be cherry-picking scenes to reach that conclusion. I almost didn't include it on my list, so it doesn't surprise me that there would be objections to the choice. Fringy at best.
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I'm also going to throw Mandy in the ring, though its violence/intensity "grounds" it a little.
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watched this a few days ago and while it didn't quite tick these specific boxes for me i think the fairy tale angle is on the right track for some reason.
"What Drams May Come" was the first film I thought of. Ridley Scott's "Legend" a quick second. Not sure how good they are, but they are certainly strongly ethereal as I understand the word. Aronofski's "The Fountain" and "Mother." "The Others" Antonioni's "Red Desert." Sci-fi: "The Arrival"and "Inception"
Another movie about the afterlife: Defending Your Life (1991) - this one an introspective comedy (and one of those films where each time I watch it I come away with something different).
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i think the fairy tale angle is what i might be looking for or at least some low fantasy type stuff.
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I loved it. But I think I know what you mean. Maybe "otherworldly" is a better word for this one.
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I'd like to add the films of Nic Roeg to this. Walkabout has a very ethereal feel. As do most of his others including The Man Who Fell to Earth
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Would these fit the bill?
Picnic at Hanging Rock
Walkabout
The Spirit of the Beehive
El Sur
Picnic at Hanging Rock
Walkabout
The Spirit of the Beehive
El Sur
I'll give Picnic at Hanging Rock a strong second.
First thing that jumped to mind when "ethereal," was used was Videodrome, but I don't think that's what's being asked for here.
Next to come to mind is The Iron Rose.
And sure, why not? Jess Franco's A Virgin Among the Living Dead. That has a sleep-walking feel to it. October wasn't that long ago for me.
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