What do you think?
Rate this book
Exterminating Angel (Green Integer) by Luis Bu?uel
An aristocrat named Nobile invites several society friends to his house after the opera. But even as the dinner preparations are underway, servants feel compelled to leave. Despite threats of dismissal, the footman also leaves, and, as the guests arrive other servants escape. Dinner is served and hours pass, but the guests do not leave. Finally, each refusing to be the first to leave the party, distrust sets in, and the guests turn on their host, blaming him for their self-induced captivity. One of Bunuel 's most sardonically humorous and visually dazzling of movies, Exterminating Angel reveals itself as a screenplay to be also a linguistically brilliant satire of social aspirations. This 1962 film presents in self in script form as a great work of literature.
- GenresFilm
Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
1 person is currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Luis Buñuel
90 books181 followersLuis Buñuel was born on 22 February 1900 in Calanda, a small town in the Aragón region of Spain. He was a visionary filmmaker and influential figure in the history of cinema, known for his distinctive style and bold exploration of themes such as surrealism, social criticism, and human nature.
His family was wealthy and devoutly Catholic, a conservative environment that would later provide rich material for his critical and often subversive works.
Buñuel's education began in Jesuit schools, where he developed a critical view of religion that would pervade much of his later work. He moved to Madrid in 1917 to study at the University of Madrid, where he became part of an intellectual circle that included future luminaries such as Salvador Dalí and Federico García Lorca. This period marked the beginning of his engagement with avant-garde and surrealist ideas.
In the late 1920s, Buñuel moved to Paris, the epicenter of the surrealist movement. There, he collaborated with Salvador Dalí on his first film, "Un Chien Andalou" (1929), a 16-minute short that shocked audiences with its dreamlike imagery and disjointed narrative. The film, now considered a masterpiece of surrealist cinema, established Buñuel as a daring and original filmmaker.
Buñuel followed up with "L'Âge d'Or" (1930), another collaboration with Dalí, which further cemented his reputation. This film, with its provocative critique of the bourgeoisie and the Catholic Church, was met with outrage and censorship, solidifying Buñuel's position as a controversial and radical artist.
The political turmoil in Europe during the 1930s led Buñuel to work in various capacities, including a stint making documentaries in Spain and working in Hollywood. However, his career in the U.S. was hampered by his unorthodox style and political views. He eventually returned to Mexico, where he found a more receptive environment for his talents.
In Mexico, Buñuel directed numerous films that combined his surrealist tendencies with social and political commentary. Notable works from this period include "Los Olvidados" (1950), a gritty portrayal of urban poverty that won him the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival, and "El" (1953), a psychological drama about jealousy and obsession.
The 1960s and 1970s marked a period of international recognition and success for Buñuel. He directed several acclaimed films, including "Viridiana" (1961), which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, "Belle de Jour" (1967), starring Catherine Deneuve, and "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie" (1972), which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. These films showcased Buñuel's continued fascination with surrealism, his sharp wit, and his critique of societal norms.
Buñuel's later years were marked by a retreat from the public eye, but he remained active in filmmaking until his final work, "That Obscure Object of Desire" (1977). He died on July 29, 1983, in Mexico City, leaving behind a legacy that has profoundly influenced modern cinema. His work continues to be celebrated for its innovation, audacity, and enduring relevance, ensuring Buñuel's place as one of the most important filmmakers in the history of the medium.
His family was wealthy and devoutly Catholic, a conservative environment that would later provide rich material for his critical and often subversive works.
Buñuel's education began in Jesuit schools, where he developed a critical view of religion that would pervade much of his later work. He moved to Madrid in 1917 to study at the University of Madrid, where he became part of an intellectual circle that included future luminaries such as Salvador Dalí and Federico García Lorca. This period marked the beginning of his engagement with avant-garde and surrealist ideas.
In the late 1920s, Buñuel moved to Paris, the epicenter of the surrealist movement. There, he collaborated with Salvador Dalí on his first film, "Un Chien Andalou" (1929), a 16-minute short that shocked audiences with its dreamlike imagery and disjointed narrative. The film, now considered a masterpiece of surrealist cinema, established Buñuel as a daring and original filmmaker.
Buñuel followed up with "L'Âge d'Or" (1930), another collaboration with Dalí, which further cemented his reputation. This film, with its provocative critique of the bourgeoisie and the Catholic Church, was met with outrage and censorship, solidifying Buñuel's position as a controversial and radical artist.
The political turmoil in Europe during the 1930s led Buñuel to work in various capacities, including a stint making documentaries in Spain and working in Hollywood. However, his career in the U.S. was hampered by his unorthodox style and political views. He eventually returned to Mexico, where he found a more receptive environment for his talents.
In Mexico, Buñuel directed numerous films that combined his surrealist tendencies with social and political commentary. Notable works from this period include "Los Olvidados" (1950), a gritty portrayal of urban poverty that won him the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival, and "El" (1953), a psychological drama about jealousy and obsession.
The 1960s and 1970s marked a period of international recognition and success for Buñuel. He directed several acclaimed films, including "Viridiana" (1961), which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, "Belle de Jour" (1967), starring Catherine Deneuve, and "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie" (1972), which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. These films showcased Buñuel's continued fascination with surrealism, his sharp wit, and his critique of societal norms.
Buñuel's later years were marked by a retreat from the public eye, but he remained active in filmmaking until his final work, "That Obscure Object of Desire" (1977). He died on July 29, 1983, in Mexico City, leaving behind a legacy that has profoundly influenced modern cinema. His work continues to be celebrated for its innovation, audacity, and enduring relevance, ensuring Buñuel's place as one of the most important filmmakers in the history of the medium.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 13, 2009
After seeing the amazing movie , I just wanted to read the book too see if I could get anything more out of it since Spanish is not my first language.(The movie does have english captions) It's basically word for word the movie only in english and it did clear up some things that I didn't quite get in the movie. Read the book and see the movie one of the best I've ever seen!
November 22, 2017
Read the screen play, watched the movie, and then saw the opera (Met live in HD). Help to understand the movie and opera, if that is possible ;-)
October 11, 2024
My favorite film of his. I feel he gets the balance between surrealism and conventional story structure perfect. Discreet Charm is a bit too fragmented in my opinion and becomes harder to follow. As with most screenplays of challenging films, this will help you understand Bunuel's intentions a little better by seeing them written clearer than when on the screen.
August 30, 2007
I love this guy
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews