Daisies

| 1966

Directed by: Vera Chytilová

Main Plot

"Daisies," directed by Vera Chytilová, is a surrealist Czech film that follows the anarchic adventures of two young women, both named Marie. Disillusioned with the world around them, they decide to embrace a life of hedonism and rebellion. They engage in a series of pranks and acts of defiance, challenging societal norms and indulging in gluttony and destruction. Their escapades are marked by a playful, chaotic energy, and the film employs a variety of visual techniques, including vibrant colors and rapid editing, to enhance its avant-garde style. Through their antics, the Maries critique consumerism, authority, and the constraints placed on women, ultimately leading to a provocative and ambiguous conclusion.

Characters

  • Ivana Karbanová plays Marie II, one of two rebellious young women who engage in a series of anarchic pranks, challenging societal norms and indulging in hedonistic escapades.
  • Jitka Cerhová plays Marie II, one of two rebellious young women who engage in anarchic, surreal pranks, challenging societal norms and exploring themes of consumerism and decadence.
  • Marie Cesková is one of the two main protagonists, engaging in anarchic, surreal pranks to challenge societal norms and conventions.

Ending Explained

"Daisies," directed by Vera Chytilová, concludes with a chaotic and symbolic ending that encapsulates the film's themes of rebellion and societal critique. The two main characters, Marie I and Marie II, after a series of anarchic and hedonistic escapades, find themselves in a lavish banquet hall. They indulge in a gluttonous feast, destroying the opulent spread in a frenzied manner. This act of consumption and destruction serves as a metaphor for their rejection of societal norms and material excess. Following the banquet's ruination, the Maries attempt to clean up the mess they've made, symbolizing a futile effort to restore order after their acts of defiance. Their attempts are clumsy and ineffective, highlighting the impossibility of returning to the status quo. The film ends with the Maries lying on a table, wrapped in newspaper, as a chandelier crashes down, suggesting the ultimate collapse of the world they have been rebelling against. The conclusion of "Daisies" underscores the futility and destructiveness of unchecked rebellion, while also critiquing the superficiality and decadence of the society the Maries oppose.

Vera Chytilová Comedy Ivana Karbanová Jitka Cerhová Marie Cesková