MovieChat Forums > Otets i syn (2003) Discussion > Father and Son are NOT naked in the open...

Father and Son are NOT naked in the opening scene

posted 17 years ago by murph24
6 replies | jump to latest

I've seen a few posts here describing the actors portraying Alexei and his father as "naked" or "nude" in the film's opening scene. This is incorrect - as the scene progresses and Alexei is being cradled in his father's arms, it's clear Alexei is wearing briefs, while his father appears to be wearing pajama bottoms (notice the folds of material on his knee).

As for the relationship between the two men and whether or not it's homoerotic, we should consider the definition of the term. In this case "homo" means "same" (as in same sex), while "erotic" is defined as "of or causing sexual love, especially tending to arouse sexual desire or excitement." It should be clear to anyone who's seen FATHER AND SON that Alexei and his father have a very intense relationship. They're close in every possible way - physically, emotionally and spiritually. But are they sexually close? Or, to put it another way, are they *beep* each other? Personally, I don't think so. The two obviously share a special bond (not to mention DNA), but they're becoming aware of the fact they may not always be together. A military posting may take Alexei away, employment opportunities may force his father to relocate, or perhaps marriage (or even death) will separate them. I think director Alexander Sokurov is looking at the relationship between two individuals who've been close all their lives & care deeply for one another, but who suddenly realize that (one way or another) it can't last forever.

However, let's use the term another way - is it possible some people might find watching FATHER AND SON a homoerotic experience? Well, let's face it - the film gives us two very attractive muscle hunks who are frequently in each other's arms, and just as frequently gazing soulfully into each other's eyes. And yeah, I know a few people who've gotten VERY turned on by watching this movie. But that doesn't mean Alexei and his father are having a sexual relationship - it just means that some people get off on films that feature man-to-man tenderness & intimacy. However, it's worth reiterating that I don't think these two are doing "the wild thing." They're good-looking men, and they're very close, and they're FATHER AND SON.

That's all.

***********

By the way, this is a very interesting, dreamlike, and (I might add) beautifully shot motion picture. But don't look for a plot here; FATHER AND SON is really a mood piece. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I love it.

reply

[–] Falconeer 17 years ago

It's sad that some people can't watch a film like this, that deals with a strong relationship between two males, without immediately thinking that they are gay, or having sex. Really sad and pathetic. A German film called 'Napola' was billed in the U.S. as being "gay-themed". It was a story of a friendship between two guys in a Hitler youth school. Again, nothing at all "gay" about that film. It seems like people who imagine lurid sexuality whenever they see two people being close or embracing, have never had a normal, close friendship before. How sad...

reply

[–] saltsan 17 years ago

Gay sex is not "lurid" sex, except to a self-righteous homophobic bigot. By the way, no one I've read or talked to has ever said the relationship in "Father and Son" is "gay" or even "homosexual", just that it is “homoerotic”. Look these terms up if you have a dictionary. Homoerotic means it’s “erotic” imagery involving more than one person of the same gender. Conservative art historians have called the image of God and Adam on the Sistine Chapel “homoerotic”. That doesn’t mean they’re implying that the two are having sex with each other, or even want to.

It’s really sad and pathetic when people like you overreact to discussions about eroticism in art.

reply

[–] deeperthanadream 17 years ago

WHO are you bitching at?

reply

[–] cinema_universe 17 years ago

There can be no doubt that people who 'jump to conclusions' at first sight have damned this film as homosexual-themed-- though never defining their criterea for a film to be such. (--and people who damn films, even if the film in question were homosexual themed, are not worth paying attention to.--)

The opening sequence, if one only watches the first few seconds then turns it off, may be misunderstood, but I literally mean "few seconds." The heavy breathing, which starts before the opening credits are over (in fact, it begins during the title credit), can give the "holier-than-thou" crowd a wrong impression, but if they watch only 60 seconds more, it's apparent that it's a father helping his son, who is suffering a nightmare. And nothing more that that.
The scene is, however, visually breathtaking (--the entire film is a visual treat, in fact).

What's the story? There is no 'story' per se, but if we needed to say it's 'about' something, we might as well say it's about separation anxiety.
To go on about (in this post), what most of us who have seen the film (all the way through) already understand, would be pointless.

It's one of those great works of art that rarely come our way, and it should be watched and enjoyed as such, --and as often as one likes.

Personally, I've seen it several times since it first was shown in this country (--I also own the DVD). I think we're seeing posts about it now (May 2007), and 'spikes' in the interest charts, because it's being aired several times this month on the Sundance Channel, and many people are seeing it for the first time. I would hazzard a guess that DVD sales of "Father and Son" will spike, as well, just now.

If not for channels like Sundance, much great cinema would never be seen in this country.

-D.-

reply

[–] N00b 13 years ago

Yeah... The son might not be naked, but how can you say they were not having sex?

The father was holding his son while he was curled up onto his chest, and his son slowly rubbing his dad's chest while his dad saying, and here's the exact quote, "Scream louder next time."

reply

[–] murph24 13 years ago

The father is shown restraining his son physically in the film's opening scene, then comforting and caressing him, but they're not having sex. "Caressing" and "comforting" are not synonyms for "sex." Aleksandr Sokurov, the film's director, has rejected the notion that his two main characters share a sexual relationship.

And when the father talks about "screaming," he's referring to the screams brought on by his son's nightmares.

reply