(W.R.—MISTERIJE ORGANIZMA, Dusan Makavejev, Yugoslavia 1971, 85 min., Serbo-Croatian with subtitles, 35mm)

The radical “free love” philosophy of the Austrian-born psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich (aka W.R.) is at the core of this stunning essay film on the correlation between sex and politics. Makavejev’s film posits that political freedom and even revolution are impossible if sexual repression exists. His various images, some of which are quite graphic, are presented in a free associative style. They include a New York revolutionary with a toy gun; scenes from a 1946 Soviet propaganda movie; torture sequences from a Nazi pro-euthanasia film; explicit lovemaking footage; a monologue delivered by transvestite Jackie Curtis; and an extended burlesque set about two roommates in 1971 Belgrade. New 35mm print!

Program Notes

W.R.: Mysteries of the Organism