Review of Once Upon a Time, Cinema

This meditation on cinema and censorship is astounding. Contemporary black and white footage is interspersed with clips from older films, though sometimes the transition is so seamless one can't tell when one ends and the other begins. Crude special effects are used to create a surreal atmosphere that owes a tremendous debt to Luis Bunuel, particularly Exterminating Angel and Un Chien Andalou. There's also a Kubrick tribute towards the end of the film. No amount of exposition will prepare you for this film, which truly has to be seen to be believed. Highest rating and recommendation.