Quills | 2000

Do we have the right to imagine anything? Even the horrible?

You can’t kill the urge to create. You can only drive it underground. Sound familiar? Every time someone today says, “This book shouldn’t be read” or “That movie is too dangerous,” Quills whispers back: You just made it more desirable. Let’s be honest—this film is not for the faint of heart . There is nudity, simulated violence, and themes that would make a nun faint. But here’s the trick: the film is arguing that by trying to shield society from ugliness, you only create more of it. quills 2000

The Marquis de Sade would say yes. The Abbe would say no. Quills leaves you in the middle, covered in ink and wondering which side you’re really on. Do we have the right to imagine anything

The irony? Quills itself was banned in several countries and hit with NC-17 threats. The movie became the very thing it was warning us about. Yes. But with a caveat: Don’t watch it for a fun date night. Watch it as a piece of political theater. Watch it as a question mark. You can only drive it underground

Posted by: The Vintage Projector | Filed under: Retro Reviews, Controversial Cinema