MovieChat Forums > Kynodontas (2009) Discussion > A rip-off from 'The Castle of Purity'

A rip-off from 'The Castle of Purity'

posted 13 years ago by FotoJazz
28 replies | jump to latest

"Lanthimos never gave credits on this one, and when journalists asked him whether he was even inspired from the Mexican movie, he didn't give an answer, only got him annoyed. Someone would say it's pure coincidence... But now the story from his second movie is the same thing that's written on a recent book, called "Parabola" by Konstantinos Tzamiotis, and of course, the guy's acting as if it's his own thing. Weird."

-wittr at SC

(I didn't write that because my English isn't that good.)

So I think that if you wan't to see this movie you need to watch The Castle of Purity first and then make your own opinion, I watched both films and I have to say that the director of dogtooth is a complete thief, at least he should admit the original inspiration. So I laugh at all of you reviewers who think that this is a "masterpiece".

Vérgame Dios.

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] StaunchWoman 12 years ago

When a film is inspired by or takes elements from another, it can still be a masterpiece. Name one film that hasn't borrowed ANYTHING from another...

We've met before, haven't we?

[–] xpanther2005 12 years ago

Since this is not a "regular" story, copying it would be very obvious and makes it lose on the originality factor that a lot of people based their praise upon.

You can't make a story about a group of people who go on a quest to destroy a ring in the mountain where the evil wizard had made it originally, fighting orcs and goblins in the way, you can't do that story and deny that you were "inspired" by the lord of the rings.

Anyways, both films are crab, and people who think this is art, need to get out more.

A genius amongst morons is just another moron.

[–] StaunchWoman 12 years ago

Not a regular story? I've seen a lot of films and have read stories about people locked in a house, confined to an estate, or just being generally oblivious to the outside world. This being a "regular" story is relative to your opinions and experiences.
You were being way too specific in that LotR example.

...makes it lose on the originality factor...

Let's say after seeing Dogtooth, I watch something with a similar plot... Seeing something else won't take away the impression I had after seeing Dogtooth. If seeing something else ruins a past experience, I sincerely sympathize.

We've met before, haven't we?

[–] xpanther2005 12 years ago

Oh, so what other film tells the story of a father who isolate his kids from the outside world by raising them in a high fenced house and scaring them about what's outsise the fence, where the kids grew up very naive-like and sexually dysfunctional(incest)?

A genius amongst morons is just another moron.

[–] StaunchWoman 12 years ago

Again, your specificity derails from the actual point. Like I said, these general similarities in topic have been done before, and that being said, I don't like the film any less because of it. Original or not, I loved it. What is it you're actually arguing? No, it hasn't been done to death like slasher premises or your typical romantic/comedy plot, but it's been found here and there. Themes of extreme control, isolation etc..

We've met before, haven't we?

[–] jtaboada 11 years ago

Actually, one of the differences between both films is that in El castillo de la pureza the father doesn't really scare them (although there are here and there some lines about the evils of the world), but basically he just locks them down. They are not afraid to go outside, just unable to. And this is one among many other differences.

[–] wcparker-1 12 years ago

Much of Lord of the Rings was lifted from the Volsunga Saga and the Nibelungenlied, and arguably was influenced by Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelung, although Tolkien denied the latter.

[–] xpanther2005 12 years ago

Very interesting! I haven't heard of either reference, but I'll be sure to check them out. Thanks for the info.

A genius amongst morons is just another moron.

[–] antvolley 9 years ago

You've never heard of Wagner? And you're telling people who think both films are "art" to: "get out more"?! Wowsers.

"Hot lesbian witches!"

[–] theyfoughtforska 8 years ago

LMFAO! Ha! 

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] AlejandroSV 12 years ago

The Horse In Motion (1878)

[–] iwanna_know 11 years ago

A Serbian Film

"Your mother's in here with us, Karras. Would you like to leave a message?"

[–] Floepsel 10 years ago

Lol his upcoming movie 'The Lobster' seems to be very unique

[–] ValerinAmberz 9 years ago

If the director got mad at that question he's just pathetic. Not answering it only shows that he knows exactly where that question comes from.

I don't know if I were to go as far as calling it a rip-off but denying the similarities between the movies is very dumb and lacks respect to the mexican movie. If I were the director I would certainly give some of the credits to the mexican film.

With all that being said that doesn't mean that the mexican movie is superior. I have yet to see all of it to make a good comparison.

The mexican movie seems loosely based on a true story, and the greek movie takes it further and succesfully so. It felt almost like pasolinis "Salo" at times. I really enjoyed it, it's just sad that the moviemakers tries to hide the connection between the movies.

well since you're naked you might as well f___ a friend of mine. Paul come in here!

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] irene_j-892-280304 8 years ago

Completely agree. It is stated in Trivia section that "The inspiration for the film came about because of a discussion Yorgos Lanthimos was having with some friends who were about to get married. When Lanthimos expressed doubts about the institution and family itself, he was struck by the idea about what would happen to a man who went to the ultimate extreme of protecting his family."
Nothing can be absolutely original in art, as in life itself..

[–] TeaBunny 11 years ago

>> So I laugh at all of you reviewers who think that this is a "masterpiece". >>

OH NOES INTERNET STRANGER IZ MOCKING UZ!

------------------------
"Love means never having to say you're ugly." - the Abominable Dr. Phibes

[–] jfear922 11 years ago

Although I've never seen "The Castle of Purity", I see your point. I say this because throughout the entire film, I felt as though I had watched it before.

True, there is nothing new under the sun. Everything is some derivative of something else. The art of creating is a conglomeration of all things which inspire.

That being said, though, the director never mentions his inspirations. He speaks of coming up with the idea and then writing it with some other guy who had no previous screenwriting experience.

Honestly, the film kind of reminded me of Shyamalan's "The Village".

Nonetheless, I enjoyed the film. I'm elated that there are people in the world creating; stepping out of their comfort zones and making things for us to enjoy.

[–] robatmuskoka 11 years ago

after reading the synopsis You're Right .
and The Castle of Purity is based on a true story.

[–] viscontifromhell 11 years ago

I saw this movie and I like it, I'm going to watch the one you mention(Castle of Purity), I can't say is a ripoff cause I do believe two people can have similar ideas, the mexican movie is from the 70's so who knows if this guy watched it but I remember several movies that looks like influence by others, I saw a mexican movie call los bastardos and it was like a version of funny games but super slow and boring and I'm sure the director saw funny games but still made his movie

[–] baesuk81 10 years ago

well... there are many movies or novels like many others... dont feel so bad.
it is everywhere. i gave up to find truly original movies anyway...

[–] dannyvallejo 10 years ago

Yep, I think the same, I am Mexican and I watched many years ago El castillo de la pureza, and after 20 minutes watching this film, I already knew what was happening among all those weird and nonsense situations, obviously this movie isnt just a copy of El castillo de la pureza but basically is the same idea