MovieChat Forums > Biutiful (2011) Discussion > What is the meaning of the owl?

What is the meaning of the owl?

posted 13 years ago by JTardiou
22 replies | jump to latest

Is it a metaphor for something? What does it mean?

[–] dggonzal 13 years ago

In Latin America it represents death.

[–] DonNova 13 years ago

In Latin America or in Spain? If it's Latin America, then I don't understand what the significance would be. The movie takes place in Spain. So, why would it have any significance to people that aren't Latin American? Yes, I know the director is mexican, and it is a co produced mexican/spanish film, but it still wouldn't make sense within the context of the films setting.

[–] TTboy-33 13 years ago

The original story was set in central america. The producers only financed the film if the money was spent in spain.

[–] Alexandrexx 11 years ago

I think the whole owl thing has a lot to do with his father, who he never met, and died in Mexico.
Maybe that is why the director chooses a Latin American symbol of death.

[–] TTboy-33 13 years ago

Since nothing really dies, per se, the owl was honored as the keeper of spirits who had passed from one plane to another. The myth indicates the owl accompanying a spirit to the underworld - winging it's newly freed soul from the physical world into the realm of spirit.

Check out 'Jacobs Ladder' for an alternate myth.

And, the creature which does the reverse was cleverly hidden in the movie. Did you catch it?

[–] DonNova 13 years ago

That doesn't make any sense. The owl wasn't accompanying anybody because it was dead.

[–] TTboy-33 13 years ago

In the myth, the owl is not alive.

[–] DonNova 13 years ago

And a quick google searc tells me that in the myth the owl wasn't lying dead on the ground, lol. They were mythical beings, not a dead animal corpse. Still doesn't make sense.

[–] TTboy-33 13 years ago

Many complain that the words of the wise are always merely parables and of no use in daily life, which is the only life we have. When the sage says: "Go over," he does not mean that we should cross over to some actual place, which we could do anyhow if the labor were worth it; he means some fabulous yonder, something unknown to us, something too that he cannot designate more precisely, and therefore cannot help us here in the very least. All these parables really set out to say merely that the incomprehensible is incomprehensible, and we know that already. But the cares we have to struggle with every day: that is a different matter.

Concerning this a man once said: Why such reluctance? If you only followed the parables you yourselves would become parables and with that rid yourself of all your daily cares.

Another said: I bet that is also a parable.

The first said: You have won.

The second said: But unfortunately only in parable.

The first said: No, in reality: in parable you have lost.

[–] DonNova 13 years ago

Bro, you could have just said, "I don't know." You don't sound intelligent, you're just rambling. We're talking about the movie you muppet. The owl was lying dead on the ground. You can't explain it, therefore you resort to acting like an arrogant "know it all" prick. You've completely changed the subject and are just spewing random nonsense. Congrats.

[–] TTboy-33 13 years ago

Bro, time to change the bong water. Focus on a Michael Bay film. It's more your speed.

[–] DonNova 13 years ago

Thank you for proving my point that you have no explanation as to why the owl was dead. I love ignorant people like you that are so delusional in actually thinking you're intelligent . You're not . Perhaps you should follow your own advice and pop in a Michael Bay movie as well . Thinking is clearly not your forte.

[–] TTboy-33 13 years ago

You are a shining example of the 'Michael Bay effect' on audiences. Perhaps you should go back to the popcorn genre where everything is communicated to you with a car chase and big explosion.

[–] DonNova 13 years ago

And just when you thought he couldn't get any more ignorant ladies and gentlemen, LOL.

[–] TTboy-33 13 years ago

I'm trying to understand your response, but it sounds like a bad translation.

[–] DonNova 13 years ago

And that's why you're retarded . By the way, I love how you edited your last posts AFTER I pointed out your ignorance. Congrats, but you're still retarded .

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] AllyWheels 11 years ago

http://frogcircus.org/kafka

Most likely just copied and pasted in the hope that it would somehow be considered intelligent and/or relevant to the question being asked?

[–] sevos_9600 12 years ago

I've read your truly inspiring replys, and only created an account to ask: is the reverse animal a Fox? Cause i've been in the depth of this movie and try hard to figure the parable. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Hope to get an response

[–] cthulhulurks 12 years ago

very latin american this movie is. not bad, just over the top.

my vote history:
http://www.imdb.com/user/ur13767631/ratings

[–] DeathFish 11 years ago

Now I don't know if I am right, this is only a guess. But could it be the moths/butterflies in the ceiling? They disappear near the end, so it would sort of make sense.

"If it can be thought, or written, it can be filmed" - Stanley Kubrick
Last film seen: Biutiful 9/10

[–] TTboy-33 9 years ago

Yes, you caught the other animal. :-)