Watch Self-Criticism of a Bourgeois Dog

Self-Criticism of a Bourgeois Dog is a political and philosophical satire film made by Julian Radlmaier in 2017. The movie presents a critical examination of the capitalist system and highlights the struggles of the working class, all while maintaining a touch of humor and wit. The protagonist of the film is Julian, a struggling filmmaker who is also a member of the bourgeois class. Julian is eccentric, flamboyant, and has an overly ambitious inclination to make a revolutionary film. His character is a satirical representation of the intellectual elites, who criticize the capitalist system but simultaneously enjoy the benefits of the class-based society. Julian's struggle to make his revolutionary piece is comically depicted throughout the movie.

Despite Julian's privilege, he attempts to empathize with the working class by taking on odd jobs. During his employment, Julian meets Katja, a fashion designer who is politically and socially conscious. Katja's character adds a layer of seriousness to the movie, discussing the complexities of the Marxist-Leninist theory, and influencing Julian's outlook on revolution. The conversations between these two characters illustrate the varying debates within leftist ideologies, and how different interpretations can lead to conflicting solutions.

The movie takes a humorous turn as Julian discovers his dog has learned to speak, and the pair begin to work on the revolutionary movie together. The dog's newfound ability is used to satirize society's obsession with animals and the class divide faced by pet owners. Over the course of the movie, the dog exposes the flaws of Julian's theory, and their conversations take on an absurd tone.

The narrative is jumbled and nonlinear, as the story jumps between different periods of time and different storytelling mediums. Julian breaks the fourth wall several times and interjects anecdotes about his life into the story, further adding to the comedic disruption. The film is executed with French New Wave influence, particularly in the use of handheld camera movement and the incorporation of sound within the scenes.

Self-Criticism of a Bourgeois Dog discusses several leftist theories, including Marxism, Leninism, and Maoism, through farcical dialogue. It delves into serious topics such as the exploitation of the working class, commodification of labor, and the history of socialist movements. However, the movie does so in a way that is comical and absurd, making the complex political concepts more digestible.

The acting in the movie is excellent, with the actors showcasing their skill in delivering witty and sharp dialogue. Julian Radlmaier's performance as Julian is particularly impressive, as he delivers the character's outlandish monologues with confidence and humor. Deragh Campbell gives a nuanced and grounded portrayal of her character, Katja, adding depth to the movie. Beniamin Forthi, the voice actor of the dog, creates a comical yet intelligent personality through his vocal delivery.

The cinematography of the movie is creative, with several moments of striking imagery. There are scenes where Julian and his dog are depicted with a surrealist touch, such as when they watch a meteor shower together. There are also moments of subtle visual symbolism, such as the shot of a burning building in the background of a dialogue-heavy scene.

Self-Criticism of a Bourgeois Dog is a refreshing and entertaining take on political satire. It manages to weave together complex theories, comical dialogues, and absurd scenarios in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The movie delivers its political views in a clever and comical way, entertaining its audience while simultaneously educating them.

Self-Criticism of a Bourgeois Dog is a 2017 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.