Mondongo III: Kunst der Farbe

The conflict escalates and reaches its conclusion: Mariano Llinás and the Mondongo group are no longer collaborating. In a blend of Hegelian dialectics and sheer hubris, the filmmaker embarks on the creation of his cinematic version of Kunst der Farbe, the Johannes Itten book that inspired Mondongo’s Baptisterio de Colores. This becomes an exploration of colour through film and music—a playful exercise mixing Godardian experimentation, Hitchcockian drama and the darkly whimsical impulses of Fritz Lang’s films. In his own rhizomatic way—and with the help of colourist and cinematographer Inés Duacastella, along with a dissonant score composed by Gabriel Chowjnik performed live by an ensemble—Llinás attempts to resolve the argument woven throughout the triptych. But is this truly a “synthesis” or merely an implosion? A masterclass in film theory or a cry for help? “You’ll regret going up against us,” the actress playing Laffitte warns Llinás when he challenges her to a duel of creativity and genius. “You’ll make a fool of yourself, a buffoon,” she adds, before accepting. We then witness two dogs racing against each other down a country road. The crowd applauds. The race begins and ends at the very same time. (Diego Lerer) 

In the presence of Mariano Llinás.

Mariano Llinás: BALNEARIOS (2002), HISTORIAS EXTRAORDINARIAS (2008), TRES FÁBULAS DE VILLA OCAMPO (2011, K), LA FLOR (2018), CLORINDO TESTA (2022)