Todd Solondz’s Bleakest Masterpiece Revisited

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In contrast to many directors, Todd Solondz deeply empathizes with his cinematic characters, crafting quirky yet relatable figures who endure a wide range of life’s hardships – from solitude and deceit to more controversial themes such as rape, suicide, pedophilia. Characters in Todd Solondz’s films often experience increasingly distressing and taboo situations, particularly Dawn Wiener, initially presented in the acclaimed indie movie “Welcome to the Dollhouse.” By the time we revisit the Wiener family in Todd Solondz’s frequently underappreciated 2004 opus “Palindromes,” Dawn Wiener has taken her own life, and we find ourselves attending her funeral with the film’s young protagonist, Aviva. Played by eight different actors during the movie, Aviva flees home in search of motherhood after Dawn’s demise.

Unlike the universal acclaim of his films Welcome to the Dollhouse and the controversial Happiness, Palindromes received a mixed reception from audiences and critics at the time (many of whom have come around to the film’s brilliance 20 years later with its new 4K release). This was a painful moment for Solondz. “I think that I am most, perhaps, defensive or combative for those films that feel most beleaguered,” explained Solondz. “I can say that, like any of my films, I invest myself emotionally in the lives of these characters. Otherwise, there would be no point for me, right?” The great auteur added:

As a filmmaker, I believe it’s essential for me to step into the shoes of my characters when writing scripts. This means understanding them deeply, connecting with their emotions, and more. If I fail to stay faithful to the character, the resulting scenes may lack authenticity.

Indeed, Solondz was deeply attached to the character of Dawn Wiener, leading him to significantly alter her destiny about a dozen years following the release of Palindromes. In the less-acknowledged film, Wiener-Dog, he saw it as a chance to propose a potential path for this family and character. However, he only had one particular trajectory in mind for this character at that time, which is why, many years later with Wiener-Dog, he sought an opportunity to present another trajectory – one that is surprisingly optimistic and even romantic. The earlier one, in Palindromes, was undeniably more grim.

Regarding the Wiener family, Matthew Faber, who passed away, brilliantly played Mark Wiener once more in Palindromes. His poignant, unforgettable third act speech contributed significantly to the film’s haunting impact. In our conversation, Solondz recalled the actor fondly.

Matthew was truly a pleasure to collaborate with, and he approached his work with great dedication and investment, which I believe always added an authentic touch. It’s unfortunate that we no longer have him among us. I understand he had health problems for quite some time… I can’t help but feel sad about how fate unfolded.

“One Does One’s Best to Make a Life for Oneself”

Twenty years have passed since the release of “Palindromes” in cinemas, and as with anything from past times, it may seem quaint when compared to our current, seemingly apocalyptic era. As Solondz explained, during the time they were making this movie, many people thought that nothing was as polarized or extreme as during the George W. Bush years, causing widespread concern over the direction of the country and its dynamics. However, now we look back on those times with a sense of nostalgia. So, one can only do their best to navigate life in these times. If you were growing up in Pinochet’s Chile or perhaps the future of this country, who knows what it might be like?

The question is, what kind of life can you create for yourself, and is it necessarily shaped by the current political climate? I believe this presents an opportunity or challenge for all individuals.

20 years on, and I can still say I’m thankful for having navigated through the filmmaking process and emerged on the other side. Looking back, my perspective hasn’t fundamentally shifted, but I do acknowledge that the world has evolved in some aspects. Yet, I firmly believe the themes of my movie remain relevant to our current times. After all, art is timeless, isn’t it?

In collaboration with MoMA, the remastered version of the film “Palindromes” has been showcased at the IFC Center in New York. You can also watch it digitally on various platforms. Moreover, a special 20th anniversary reunion screening is taking place at Metrograph, New York. For more details and other screenings of “Palindromes“, check out the information provided by Monument Releasing.

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2025-03-25 04:32