MovieChat Forums > Holy Motors (2012) Discussion > The scene with Eva Mendes

The scene with Eva Mendes

posted 12 years ago by shortysi_uk
14 replies | jump to latest

Naturally there are spoilers ahead....

Obviously the scene as with the rest of the film is quite, quite bonkers! But I do feel like there is some substance behind the madness and the craziness that is on screen. Even if (unlike some other people) I think that taking the film even at a purely visual level, without delving to much in to meanings and references the film is a joy to watch. The Band in the church and the Motion capture dance are at times stunning even on a small screen.
I often think that it can sometimes ruin a film entirely to read in to too much.
However, in the scene with Eve Mendes; when he takes her down to that cave or sewer or whatever it was. There certainly seems to be a lot going on under the surface. He seems to modify her revealing outfit into a full length burqa. He then makes her walk away and back to him as if on a cat walk. She is after all a model. Obviously then he takes all his clothes off, and his arousal is there to be seen, as it were.
Now there is obviously a lot that can be taken from that, Is Leos Carax just making a general statement about arousal, or Making a comment about how women are covered up in some cultures to hide their flesh and desexualize them but men are allowed to show flesh etc.
Is he mocking the cultures that do cover up women, showing that underneath it all, a man will still have an raging hard on, if a beautiful women is covered completely or not at all.....
I'm going to watch it again anyway, perhaps give it some more thought. I'm still not 100% sure what I made of most of the film, however this scene in particular struck me as having some strong symbolism or having at least multiple interpretations.

Perhaps there is nothing, and it's all just the scribbling's of a mad man!
Anyone else have any thoughts?

I Sympathise with Lars Von Trier.

[–] andy-813 12 years ago

looks to me to be on the right track and shows that while can just sit back for the ride - most of this film alludes to things even if it does may not MEAN things at every turn. This is a deep film - to be chewed over and a meal that may never end.
As an aside - note that the penis was clearly a prosthetic - more practical on set But also an allusion to the central them of 'acting'

[–] kjewitt 12 years ago

Good thinking from both of you!

No man will marry a bilakoro

[–] Castorian 12 years ago

How do you know the penis was a prosthetic?

[–] birthdaynoodle 12 years ago

I think it was made in China.

[–] modica 12 years ago

That wasn't a real penis. Definitely a fake. The film had no rating and it seems that the reason for the lack of rating was that fake penis. I think it is so funny that people get all troubled about a fake penis. The movie was interesting and beautiful to look at, but I was a bit disappointed. Still I am glad I saw it.

[–] eve_dolluk 12 years ago

It seemed like he was trying to portray a very intimate artistic moment in film which included a crazy character with issues but who also had deeper intentions. Its the sort of role that could win you an Oscar if you get it right.

For me this is the part of the film that the Actor hits his peak and wins an Oscar for that performance while at the same time showing the art of film in general and that you don;t have to show boobs and arse for something to be beautiful e.t.c

"Can people handle the truth"

[–] PopSnot 12 years ago

Because it looked really fake.
My girlfriend laughed about it at the end at how they made it look so cheap.

I thought it was obvious.

[–] shortysi_uk 12 years ago

I just thought it was a horrible cock.

I Sympathise with Lars Von Trier.

[–] Spankalicious 12 years ago

Anyone who thought that was a real penis, needs to either

A) Get Laid
B) Take off their pants and take a look what a penis looks like

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] vveksuvarna 12 years ago

If you guys have seen 'Tokyo', Merde was portrayed as a monster, Godzilla specifically.

Here too, he was a monster, and if you notice people were in his way, and not the other way around. To my translation, it pointed at "irrational fears".

Now, things change during the photoshoot. Eva Mendes is portrayed as a lifeless icon, and there's little she does to break that image. Merde kidnaps her and takes her to his den/cave/hideout.

He is aroused by her, he wants to see her naked, but his conscience prohibits him. He then feels obligated to do something about it (remember he is a monster, he cannot be civil), He covers her in multiple trials until he feels he as succeeded at his task.

He then orders Eva Mendes around and she obliges. She walks when he wants to, she returns when he wants to.

Later when he is about to go to sleep, he strips down and you see he is aroused. Perhaps it is lack of sexual release that gets him aroused to even sleep next to a woman. Eva Mendes sings him a lullaby, and that seals the fact that this monster is still only a bully child.

There are real world comparisons to these, I will not point them out, feel free to apply the analogy as you interpret it.

[–] ShadYKnight 12 years ago

What I got out of it was that Eva Mendes was a simbol of gold (The character of Denis Lavant resembled a leprechaun) and once he did get hold of her, he took her to his cave. But then you see that he does not know what do to with her, he is aroused but does not seem to know what to do about it.(any other man would try to get it on with E. Mendes :P)

Anyhow, that's what I got out of it. That it is not as fulfilling as you think to get your "gold". :)

[–] major_lazer 12 years ago

What I got out of it was that Eva Mendes was a simbol of gold (The character of Denis Lavant resembled a leprechaun) and once he did get hold of her, he took her to his cave. But then you see that he does not know what do to with her, he is aroused but does not seem to know what to do about it.(any other man would try to get it on with E. Mendes :P)

Anyhow, that's what I got out of it. That it is not as fulfilling as you think to get your "gold".

Which ties in with the film first presenting the viewer with what appears to be a wealthy businessman who spends time begging for pennies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI3shBXlqsw

[–] ShadYKnight 12 years ago

Yes, the movie was like a a series of stories with different meanings that you interpret for yourself, and and overarching story to tie it all together.

And Major Lazer is the best! :D Discovered them thanks to you.