On July 10, Malavida Films offers a special re-release of Emir Kusturica’s 1993 feature film Arizona Dream in a restored 4K version. With the unforgettable voices of Johnny Depp, Jerry Lewis, Faye Dunaway and Iggy Pop, the work follows the character of Axel Blackmar (Johnny Depp).
The latter lives more in a world full of dreams and flying fish than in New York, where he lives. About to remarry, his uncle Leo, a car salesman in Arizona, asks him to cross the United States to be his best man.
There he meets Elaine, a whimsical widow who only dreams of flying, and her daughter Grace, who is angry at the whole world. He then finds himself thrown between the dreams of those around him.
Travel across the US
Silver Bear at the 1993 Berlin Festival, Arizona Dream left its mark on its era. It was filmed in Douglas, Arizona, as well as New York and Alaska, offering a trip to the three corners of North America.
While the original version broadcast in Europe is 2 hours and 22 minutes long, the film released in the United States in 1993 was cut by 23 minutes! This situation was later partially corrected.
Indeed, the complete work also received the honor of a later (January 1995) and even more limited theatrical release. However, only a short version is available on video in the United States.
Much appreciated work
Rated 4.1 out of 5 by the press and 3.7 by AlloCiné viewers, Arizona Dream has been well received by critics and the public. Le Figaro describes it this way: “Crazy, anarchic, seductive film. The director is first of all a poet without borders, his cinema soars from reality to metaphor, fantasy, dream”.
For his part, Positif wrote this in 1993: Rarely does a film like Arizona Dream leave such a sense of creative power. Les Echos will also be a rave: “We remember from this trip to the land of the special American dream a dazzling harvest of warm and whimsical images and a wonderful breath of friendship.”
If you want to make up your own mind, Arizona Dream hits theaters July 10th!
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
