Careful (1992)

In the Alpine village of Tolzbad in the 1800s, the townsfolk talk quietly and restrain their movements lest they incur avalanches. This atmosphere lends itself to repressed emotions - shown... See full summary »

Director:

Guy Maddin

Writers:

Guy Maddin (screenplay), George Toles (screenplay)

Stars:

Kyle McCulloch, Gosia Dobrowolska, Sarah Neville

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kyle McCulloch	...	Grigorss
Gosia Dobrowolska	...	Zenaida
Sarah Neville	...	Klara
Brent Neale	...	Johann
Paul Cox	...	Count Knotkers
Victor Cowie	...	Herr Trotta
Michael O'Sullivan	...	Blind Ghost
Vince Rimmer	...	Franz
Katya Gardner	...	Sigleinde
Jackie Burroughs	...	Frau Teacher
Ross McMillan	...	Chief Steward
Leith Clark	...	Butler Blore
Glen Hubich	...	Butler Schrammel
Brendan Carruthers	...	Mortician
George Toles	...	Countess Knotkers

Storyline

In the Alpine village of Tolzbad in the 1800s, the townsfolk talk quietly and restrain their movements lest they incur avalanches. This atmosphere lends itself to repressed emotions - shown through the parallel stories of butler student Johann lusting after his mother (an old flame of the mysterious Count Knotkers) and Klara's attraction to her father (who lusts after his other daughter), leading to duels and suicidal plunges galore. All this is shot in the style of an early German sonal film, complete with intertitles, crackly sound-track and 'hand-tinted' colour effects.

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Plot Keywords:

trying to avoid making noise | sense of hearing | village | count | butler | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 March 1994 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Cuidadoso

Filming Locations:

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Canada Council, The Canada Manitoba Cultural Industries Development Office (CIDO), The Greg & Tracy Film Ministry

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Johann: Suppose that the sounds of angels singing hymns to our virginal love was in reality a choir from the deepest pit of hell.

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Connections

References The Kid Brother (1927)

User Reviews

Careful you don't miss a great film!

Guy Madden is almost like the David Lynch of Canada. His films have a look all of their own; blending surrealism with German style expressionism. The grainy slightly faded style of his films, make them appear from another era. "Careful" is filmed in a bright Technicolor style that's visually dazzling. The film contains Icelandic folk lore with dark humor. The story concerns a town living in the mountains. They have to watch their every move so they don't cause an avalanche. So they try to keep quiet and not make much noise out of fear. Many of the characters have strange incestuous desires that lead them to insanity. Especially Yohan and his fantasies about his mother. Yuck! This is one strange film, with picturesque landscapes that look like they jumped out of a Salvador Dali painting. If you are looking for a disturbing candy colored dark comedy, careful you don't pass this opportunity up.