The oddly named “Dogtooth” (released in 2009) is a psychological drama film directed by renowned Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos. It garnered international attention for its provocative and disturbing exploration of control, isolation, and familial manipulation. The film won the Prix Un Certain Regard at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Plot Summary
“Dogtooth” revolves around an extraordinarily atypical family living in a secluded, high-walled compound, completely cut off from the outside world. The family consists of the Father, Mother, and their three adult children—a son and two daughters.
The parents, particularly the father, impose an extreme form of protective isolation, driven by a desire to shield their children from what they perceive as the inherent dangers and corrupting influences of the outside world. This isolation is so severe that the children have never set foot beyond the boundaries of their home, which functions almost like a self-contained dystopian microcosm.
Central to the parents’ control over their children is a meticulously constructed regime of misinformation and bizarre rules. The father, in particular, takes on the role of the authoritarian figure, orchestrating a reality that is detached from the actual world. This manipulation is thorough and invasive, extending to the very language the children use.
For example, they are taught incorrect meanings for common words, such as “zombie” being defined as a “small yellow flower.” This deliberate distortion of language serves to sever any potential connection the children might have with the outside world, ensuring they remain dependent on the parents’ skewed version of reality.
The rules governing the children’s lives are arbitrary and often cruel, designed to enforce obedience and conformity. The family compound itself is a meticulously controlled environment, with the father going to great lengths to maintain the illusion of an external world filled with dangers and unknowns. He perpetuates myths about the outside, instilling fear and ensuring that the children remain within the confines of the home. The children believe that airplanes flying overhead are toy planes that will fall into their garden, and they engage in competitive games to retrieve them, reinforcing their distorted perception of reality.
Themes and Style
“Dogtooth” delves deep into themes of control, freedom, and the malleability of truth. The parents’ absolute control over the children’s reality creates a stark depiction of the power dynamics within a family. This control is reinforced through language manipulation, physical barriers, and the perpetuation of fear about the outside world.
Lanthimos employs a cold, detached style, marked by static, symmetrical shots and an almost clinical approach to the unfolding events. This cinematographic style amplifies the film’s unsettling atmosphere, making the viewer a passive observer to the bizarre and often disturbing occurrences within the household.
Critical Reception
Critics have praised “Dogtooth” for its originality, its chilling narrative, and Lanthimos’s directorial boldness. The film’s stark, minimalist aesthetic and its unflinching portrayal of psychological and physical control have been highlighted as particularly striking. However, its graphic content and unconventional storytelling have also made it a polarizing work, with some viewers finding it excessively disturbing or opaque.
Philosophical Implications
The film can be seen as a critique of authoritarianism and the potential dangers of extreme protective measures. By presenting a family as a microcosm of a totalitarian regime, “Dogtooth” raises questions about the nature of freedom, the ethics of parental control, and the construction of reality. It also explores how environments shape our understanding of the world and how extreme isolation can warp perceptions and behaviors.
In essence, “Dogtooth” is a thought-provoking and challenging film that pushes the boundaries of conventional cinema. Its unique approach to storytelling and its unsettling themes make it a significant work in contemporary film, reflective of Lanthimos’s emerging influence as a filmmaker known for his dark, satirical, and often controversial takes on human behavior and societal norms.
