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Review: Harmony Korine's Julien Donkey-Boy
by Jordan Hoffman

published 10/11/99

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Jordan Hoffman is LeisureSuit.net's Queens-based Senior Editor.



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Subj: Review: Harmony Korine's Julien Donkey-Boy
stop watching him if u think hes garbage, u just need to open your eyes. Hes the truth...

-- Lauren Frates
Feb 22, 2007 at 4:21PM

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"I am a commercial filmmaker. I am a patriot. I hide in trees. All right. All right." -– Harmony Korine to David Letterman and perhaps his largest audience.

You'll get no argument from me. Harmony Korine is a pain in the ass. But he's our pain in the ass. He wants what we want, to shake things up. He's a shrimpy, pompous Jew, partially raised in Queens, who seems to really get off on pissing off squares. He's bored with the movies, bored to death of traditional three-act narratives, with character arcs, with telegraphed motivation, with phony storytelling devices. He's also bored with the very way movies are made, and with his new picture Julien Donkey-Boy and his first film Gummo, he's doing the best he can to create his own film grammar, with startling images, odd use of sound, editing and lighting.

Julien Donkey-Boy stars Ewen Bremner (Spud from Trainspotting) as a schizophrenic living in somewhere in Long Island in a very unhealthy household. His father, played by Werner Herzog, is a depressed widower who listens to Clarence Ashley's "Coo Coo Bird" and drinks cough syrup looking for a natural high ("take me to Mount Everest!"), oftentimes with a gas mask on. Julien's younger brother spends most of the day practicing his Greco-Roman wrestling moves. Julien's grandmother hardly speaks, but likes to play with a little white poodle. And Julien's sister, played by Chloe Sevigny with her usual unfocused sweetness, is the only one who seems to care or even notice that Julien has problems. But it also seems that she's pregnant with his child.

The film is light on plot, but there may be one hidden beneath the surface. What Korine does so well in this film, better than any film I've ever seen with a mental patient in the lead, is get the story told from the protagonist's point of view. Julien does this on a basic, formal level. Bremner's Julien walks through life confused and disoriented, as do we watching this film. Things that are probably "important" (as they would be in a traditional story) may be quickly ignored, while something seemingly insignificant is scrutinized.

Julien focuses on music. He is mesmerized by a black church's "Glory Train" sing-a-long, as well as a black albino's rap (Julien goes to a blind and disabled support group, and whether he works or is a patient there is never made clear, probably even to Julien.) A one-on-one with his troubled pubescent brother, probably chock full of exposition, flies past us in jump cuts.

Amidst the confusion and freak show are some moments of genuine horror, hilarity and tenderness. Werner Herzog spraying Julien with freezing water while barking in his Teutonic accent, "We are all winners in this family!" is really quite frightening. Conversely, the audience was rolling in the aisles when Herzog, at the family table, rebukes Julien's "arty-farty" poem and begins joyously regaling the family with his fanciful synopsis of the third act of Dirty Harry. (I guess I should point out here that Herzog is the ardently individual filmmaker behind some of the best, and least audience-friendly films ever made, including Aguirre: The Wrath of God, Strozeck, Little Dieter Must Fly, and, my favorite, Fitzcarroldo.)

Truly touching, albeit emotionally crippling for Julien, is when Sevigny calls Julien on the phone pretending to be his (and her) dead mother, reminding him to brush his teeth and be a good boy. Julien talks about "the day when you died" as if he understands it, but is transformed with happiness during the scene. It's devastating to watch: just how much should we keep from people who will never understand?

Critics have charged Korine with exploiting retards and freaks in his films. Granted, there's not much call for a drummer with no arms playing with his feet as a humongous black woman does a bump-and-grind, but when Hollywood continually puts out junk like The Other Sister it is refreshing to see a movie where retards are shown warts and all. There's a scene in Julien Donkey-Boy when he rides a bus, and everyone kinda looks at him and inches away. That's fantastic! In real life, people are grossed out by the disabled, and you'll never see that kind of innocuous but harsh treatment toward the disabled in a Hollywood film, except by like super-bad guys who probably work on Wall Street or something, you know? (Disclosure: in the above cited scene, Julien is holding a fetus, so make of it what you will.)

The film is shot on digital video, often slowed down or double exposed within the camera as post-production monkeying is disallowed by the Dogma 95 vow of chastity. This is the first American 'Dogma' film, and the opening of the film has a signed certificate by Lars Von Trier, Thomas Vittenburg and those other two Danish guys (Soren something. . .). Dogma is and always was meant to be a goof (and laws are always broken, Julien for example has soundtrack work, but it can be argued that it is in Julien's mind) but the truth of the matter is that what was conceived over coffee and giggles has created the most interesting change in cinema since the nouvelle vague. I'll still love a good mystery or western or romantic comedy, but if I don't see something totally new once in a while I'll go insane and lose all faith in cinema-as-art. Harmony Korine is an American treasure making important and enjoyable films. They adore him in Europe.


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Name: Lauren Frates
Subject: Review: Harmony Korine's Julien Donkey-Boy
-- Feb 22, 2007 at 4:21PM
stop watching him if u think hes garbage, u just need to open your eyes. Hes the truth...

Name: Evan Raufbold
Subject: Harmony Korine is the master
-- Sep 24, 2006 at 10:03PM
I'm fuckin sick and tired of people trashing harmony and calling him asshole. His works are beatiful and powerful. You don't like him, fuck off.

Name: Dock lover
Subject: Music
-- Mar 31, 2006 at 6:19PM
DOCK BOGGS!
DOCK BOGGS!
DOCK BOGGS!
DOCK BOGGS!

Git dat song!
Sugee Baybee!

Name: Steve End
Subject: The Artist is simply a vessel
-- Mar 15, 2005 at 5:54AM
The artist is simply a vessel for their work . So what if Korine is an ass hole show me any great innovator that is not. It is interesting to see the people that really diss the guy, I can almost make out the mullets and baseball caps between the lines!! Especially the guy who cleans the 'Spetic Tanks' Well done Bubba!!!!

Name: Lauren Frates
Subject: KORINE IS A GOD
-- Mar 1, 2005 at 5:15PM
The reason y most of u people has such a problem with Korine's movies is because he produces the truth. He doesnt use some glamourus movies star...he uses real people. Because real prople arnt fancy rich people. Yeah he does add disterbing scenes in his movies bu thats what makes him so good. He doesnt copy other film producers with the same idias. He is a vary unique person and i think thats why i like him so much because i know that when im about to watch one of his movie's i dont know what to expect. So all you people out there that critisize him you just need to relize what the worlds really about. And thats what he produces.

Name: korineSUCKS
Subject: Oh get over yourselves
-- Nov 10, 2003 at 8:21AM
Harmony Korine is the most pretentious, untalented sack of shit ever to pick up a camera. I read these long-winded 'artsy' reviews and laugh my ass off at the pathetic attempts to sounds meaningful. Oh right and of course, my "brain is charred." There is not one original frame in any of this loser's film's worth taking a dump on. He is a charlatan, a fake, and his fans his dupes. But I guess if you say things like "Aristotle's narrative curve" that gives you some semblance of authenticity when discussing the cinematic equivalent of a 7th grader flicking boogers in class. Get a clue people - Korine is an absolute fraud beyond compare.

Name: AMackie
Subject: I'm a European!
-- May 4, 2003 at 6:13PM
The thing you might not realise about us Europeans is our media is dominated by your media. We do have our own but your popular industry stuff gets shoveddown our throats too. Also Art film is an aquired taste that not everybody is crazy about, it will only be people like us that have interest. Everyone will have their own opinions of whats good and whats bad and I know the reason me and my friends like Korine is for most of the good things you say here. He shows the parts of America which are more like where we live. In the Uk London is the closest we've got to one of your main cities. The bad things are equally valid but, well those people can just go fuck themselves as far as I'm concerned. I'm a pretencious cunt (I think so anyway). I think that just means we have an eye for improvement. Criticism and creativity go hand in hand. America has really got an ideological leash on the reast of the world right now and it's up to your media to find new ways of putting it out to the massive.

Name: jen
Subject: nice fuck up
-- May 22, 2002 at 2:25PM
werner doesn't spray julien with the water, he sprays his brother. harmony korine is a god

Name: jeffdestro
Subject: not to bad
-- Apr 21, 2002 at 6:34AM
what i liked about this movie is the blind people, the armless people, the visually shocking people,,as i watched this movie i realized that it was like saying to people who critisize movies " go ahead ,,say it, say that i am exploiting freaks" it was a double edged sword,,,he doesnt call em freaks only the accuser would be and there lies the awesome rub. i liked that,,,and my opinion is that it didnt exploit them at all,,they had intelligent things to say and the bowling scene was touching to me, the black albino was dope as shit and obviously threw it in normal peoples faces that he is what he is,,like the movie,,,it is what it is

Name: re:Tard 666
Subject: wake up
-- Nov 16, 2001 at 1:52PM
excellent film; evokes so much of what it is to feel alive: humor, uncertainty, misunderstanding. werner herzog is a genius. if you don't get this film, you should either try to shed the brainwashing society has force fed you your entire life, or just loose yourself in the religion that you have accepted without question and burn all the copies of this movie.

Name: Korine Fuckedup
Subject: How can all copies of this movie be burned?
-- Aug 18, 2001 at 4:34PM
The worst piece of shit I have ever seen ... and I pump spetic tanks for a living.

Name: b-a-car-o-s
Subject: sikuvit
-- Jan 31, 2001 at 5:43PM
I am an amateur film-maker, and I am now filming my first release, "adventures in syrup land." If you like Harmany Korine, you will enjoy this film. In fact, some of it is an homage to him. If you want to hear about it Email me.

Name: matt
Subject: Julian donkey boy
-- Jan 17, 2001 at 7:34PM
Anyone who cant find this movie should go to www.tlavideo.com Its a reasonable price ive seen it elsewhere for much much more.

Name: regina
Subject: Where can I get this movie?
-- Oct 25, 2000 at 1:14AM
Can someone please tell me what I have to do to get a copy of Julian Donkey - Boy. Do they even exist for sale? I've tried everything and spent hours on the web looking for it. I deperatly want it for a friend who is a big Harmony Korine fan. Thanks to anyone who responds.

Name: cc
Subject: retard
-- Oct 23, 2000 at 10:16AM
oh mr bw, do you think you can save the world with euphemisms?

Name: bw
Subject: disgusting
-- Aug 22, 2000 at 5:40PM
I am writing this message for Jordan, the author of this review. Your use of the word "retard" is completely insensitive. Try using some other words such as mentally handicapped.

Name: Mark Engels
Subject: re: all of you
-- Jul 12, 2000 at 3:39AM
you are wrong. here is a big word: Poststructuralist. here is another: Antediluvianism. Here is a thought: David Lynch is okay. but you might be kind of dumb.

Name: Jordan Hoffman Responds
Subject: Re: doh...
-- Mar 27, 2000 at 9:59AM
I dug Mr. Korine's look at the Oscars last night. He looked like John Cusack's character from Being John Malkovich.

And he got to sit next to the Chloe Sevigny, arguably the most orgasmic of the nominated females (what does *that* mean?)

Name: tele
Subject: doh...
-- Mar 27, 2000 at 2:30AM
Well, you can see him as too pretentious, or you can see him as a wanker. If the latter's the case, then you obviously have a different, more stringent standard on the art you consume. All the so-called "trendy NY posing" aside, respect the guy for making the kinds of movies he wants to make, and for showing us all something different. I realize that that is a tall order for some of you. It must be tough to de-program yourselves!!

Name: Donny Beisbol
Subject: Julien Jammer Jammer
-- Jan 21, 2000 at 4:51PM
I saw this film recently and found it strikingly beautiful, heartwarming, and in places (where it wasn't obviously contrived as some portions are ) full of truth. 'Serious' film critics who write this film and even Korine off as 'shock' or 'white trash chic' are simply taking a short cut because they don't WANT to understand. If you look at the film for its parts, and not the whole, you will see exactly that.. parts. A true artist develops a work --- as opposed to laborers ( ie mainstream producers ) who put out 'products'. I wait anxiously for anything that this man makes in the future and hope that my films will be compared to his without being accused of mimicry.

Name: Gene
Subject: Woodrow
-- Oct 28, 1999 at 4:02PM
'They are big budget compared to certain other experimental/independent filmakers. He comes with a studio behind him etc. - This is not a funding on Mom's credit card scenario. - Regardless I believe my last comment was misunderstood for a belligerent dismissal of his talents -- I will not argue the fact that he has this, it is just the strategy he takes to shove down the throats of everyone. I think if any one has had the opportunity to view Gummo more than twice you will realize that after the initial shocking viewing there is very very little beneath it - save fashion.

Gummo was one of my favorite films of last year -- that is before I saw it again, and then again - when I realized the incredible weight NY style trediness and white trash fashion played in this.

Certainly this film is not running on dialouge or emotion. It is based on an old school avant garde technique called plain ole' shock. We are meant to be shocked by the retards, shocked by the cat killers, shocked by the satanism.

Well fine enough, but once the shock wears off, it is quite frankly a movie based on this alone, with the proper amount of FASHION thrown in for hipster brownie points.

The fucked up thing about the 'hipster' audience that eats this up without actually questioning what the film is doing, how much he directly/blatantly is ripping off Larry Clark's vision (include in this category - Calvin Klein and a whole host of other freak/teenage exploiters) -- is that it is weird, different, shocking - ad naseum. - a movie for those who have lost the collective plot.

Narrative can still be moving, emotion can still be useful, and the move away from exploitation and desperate yearning for hipster street cred could be a really smart move.

I'm glad he makes movies, but I think he is a long way a way from the savior so many make him out to be.

p.s. they like him in Europe for the same reason Europeans like Jerry Springer. They love watching America show how truly capable of profound stupidity we are.

Check out Affliction.
Good movie.

Name: dlynch
Subject: Re: Harmony
-- Oct 24, 1999 at 2:11PM
I second that emotion!

Name: R James
Subject: Harmony
-- Oct 23, 1999 at 11:00PM
Let's face it... Harmony's movies are drivel for people who can't understand Lynch, don't like to THINK and probably thought Blair Witch was scary. jeeesh.

Name: butcherlover
Subject: harmony
-- Oct 21, 1999 at 4:44PM
i heard harmoney is a member of that notorious young NY club of stars "da pussy posse". Current members include Leo Dacapprio and Emilio Eztevez. What i want to know is how cam pay MY dues and get in!!!!

Name: rpolanski
Subject: Re: ANYONE WHO HATE'S HARMONY'S FILM HAS A CHARRED BRAIN
-- Oct 17, 1999 at 10:44PM
He thinks like a Good American should?

Note to self: a Good American should think like a fucked-up pretentious prick. Whereas previously this didn't seem like a good idea, apparently we should all be like Harmony, and then we'll live in peace and prickhood.

Name: Asher
Subject: If you judge Harmony's banal creation(s) you must take into account the judgment posed on yourself
-- Oct 17, 1999 at 4:41PM
If you judge someone you judge yourself. Not to put him on a golden pedestal (for he should not be placed so because those who admit life is confusing appreciate his creative output are with him and all self-accepting, honest freaks named humans),and this is only for analogy, but those who close classic literature like Canterbury Tales due to its language are the same dumbasses who storm out of the theatre spilling their super duper popcorn. Language and honesty is what Harmony Korine is about: he is genuine nonchalant freaky-dikey American. Those who accept the








tedium of existence, its wonderful monontony will take also from his works (and not to forget his anti-novel scribbled tales in "A Crackup At The Race Riots") either a new smile seen for the first time in the mirror or a scratch to the temples. The latter is undoubtedly appreciated by this director. He wants to warp your mind, but at the same time (as in Gummo's theme made patent) is that you are no better then any others and, simply put, yes simply put, that those that seem different (freaky) are like you": American, human, breating, trying to live day by day. Lets get real with ourself. If you take his films with eyes wide then you will not be abashed to simply not judge others. You will judge rself. He wants us to get at the "idea" of the individual self, or moreover to the most understoood sense of his creation(s), is to have a strange viewing. Almost Christian -like, but we cannot pinpoint down his prime endeavour, other then to be truthfully radical, but it is more then that. Only time will tell when we understand this freak's objective in his chosen fields of creation (if it be on page or on screen, and maybe others) and what he is all about if we don;t quite understand. It is alright to say "I don"t get it" because to be honest like that is the same to say "I don't get it---- I don't understand my life." Just have a fine time. Enjoy life. Appreciate diversity. Don't rush to judgement. We are all freaky : human.

October 17 th, 1999














Name: Mike Berning
Subject: ANYONE WHO HATE'S HARMONY'S FILM HAS A CHARRED BRAIN
-- Oct 17, 1999 at 4:40AM
Harmony has nuts the size of watermelons. His previous film- Gummo- was an outcry for film/videomakers to urinate on Aristotle's "narrative curve". Many applauds to him. He thinks like a Good American should.

Name: Jordan Hoffman Responds
Subject: Re: Woodrow
-- Oct 15, 1999 at 3:01PM
Harmony Korine's films are hardly "big fuckin budget"

Name: Gene
Subject: Woodrow
-- Oct 14, 1999 at 9:10PM
american cinema re-invented by a coked out mall rat, with a big fuckin budget cause he just happened to be skating in Central Park the day Larry Clark was looking for someone to write a script, any script.

Miracuuuuuuulous.

Maybe american cinema should talk to someone like Terrance Mallick instead.

Forgive misspellings - hitting the cough syrup.

Name: jjarmusch
Subject: harmony korine
-- Oct 11, 1999 at 10:46PM
I hate this movie, and I haven't even seen it. I hate directors like this guy. He's the new Abel Ferrara, turning film on its head! I say turn it back around. There's room for innovation without being a total dickhead, making movies that are so boring they make me want to shoot myself a lot of times.

And guess what? I liked the Other Sister. Aren't I a little sell-out pussy.

Name: nnlabute
Subject: harmony korine
-- Oct 11, 1999 at 3:46PM
i must agree with the comments made about harmony korine in his review of 'julien donkey-boy.' korine's talents are staggering and probably as yet almost untapped...he appears unafraid of stepping into the cinematic abyss and taking us all with him; he is as exciting a talent as we have working in american film today. thank god for a young man with a camera and no fear!


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