Daisies

Thoughts on Vera Chytilova’s Daisies

The Maries (1 and 2) embark on a journey of death at the beginning of the film when they decide to pursue a social ideal to the extreme point at which their means of pursuit turns in on itself. They play an active role in spoiling themselves (each other), imagining themselves in isolated positions of innocence that fuel their escapade while at the same time beefs up their threshold for ignorance. This exercise in self ignorance and rigid social independence sets them apart from each other, aiming their assaults at themselves as they deteriorate their identities. Their game lacks the depth of feeling that is necessary for personal growth due to the dishonest nature contained therein. It is only through their demise that they are set free from their looping thought/behavior continuum.

They are being "bad" for the sake of being "bad" thus their greedy acquisition of quantifiable items holds no sway on their resolve. The power of communication via mass media is made clear throughout the film. The label of "bad" that they long for can only be attained through their emulation of publicly reported action perceived through the filter of the media. Can the world be "bad" without self awareness? How does the portrayal of the Maries justify military action? There are sides in war, and two versions of different parts of the truth.