I know what you’re thinking, and you should be ashamed. Yeah, frat boy, I’m talking to you. No, “firepussy” is not about redheads or cats set on fire. Sorry to disappoint you. “firepussy” is instead a surrealist film following a pyromaniac and her account of personal tragedies. And it is a visually stunning movie. The sights, the sounds- everything comes together beautifully.
Unlike many other surrealist films, “firepussy” does have a plot and something in the way of a point. Very refreshing for this genre. Once you get into the story, you’re greeted with a very personal and very powerful account of Maria, the pyromaniac, dealing with the consequences of her affliction. Not a happy story, but a poignant one.
Why then doesn’t “firepussy” receive a higher rating? Because its strength is also its weakness. It tries what every filmmaker dreams of, to put his or her passion on the screen. The problem is that this passion may be too personal and not connect with the audience. At times, “firepussy” likewise fails to connect.
Exacerbating the problem is that more than one viewing of the film is necessary to follow the nonlinear storyline. Okay, it’s for effect, but it just muddies the story. Also, even after a few viewings, many scenes still seem extraneous. They may mean something to the filmmakers, but they have no immediate correlation to the story. A certain amount of setting the mood is always appreciated, but repeated unrelated imagery is unnecessary and distracting.
Perhaps, as this is such a personal work, the filmmakers do not intend every part of it to make sense to the general public. It doesn’t matter if the audience won’t understand all the elements of the movie, as these elements are there for the writers or filmmakers alone. But, if this is the point, why use a title as sensational and sure to gather attention as “firepussy”? Everyone from art students to NASCAR fans is sure to line up to see it.
Still, despite its distractions and shortcomings, “firepussy” is a lovely movie worthy of the attention it has received.
