Year: 1966
Director: Vera Chytilova
Country: Czechoslovakia
Language: Czech
The plot of the film involves two teenage girls, both named Marie, who decide that since the world is spoiled they will be spoiled as well; accordingly they embark on a series of destructive pranks in which they consume and destroy the world about them in attempt to understand the world around them.
Unfortunately the Czech government banned this great film immediately following its release. It's a quite strange non-linear avant garde movie which has no plot or character development, it's simply two women causing chaos in their world. Nothing is sacred and all is not taken even remotely seriously. It parodies the notions of work and war, of love and romance, of Western notions of Humanism. It's very Chaplin-esque in its use of slapstick and comedy to take down the system.
I say this is a feminist film because the women in the film are so expressive and powerful. They aren't tied down to any man, in fact they often leave their dates on a train, and they don't take crap from anybody. Daisies director is also a very powerful and successful woman herself. Ultimately this is fun and definitely one of a kind. One could watch this over and over without losing any enjoyment.
In conclusion, Daisies is an absolutely remarkable hidden gem. Though it was banned and had the Director blacklisted by the Czech government because apparently the food was too carelessly used, Chvitlova's masterpiece is timeless and will continue to impress for generations. This is an example of what feminist film should look like. Praise it! 5/5
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