Southland Tales EXPLAINED - Breakdown & Heavy Analysis

FOR MORE MOVIE EXPLANATION VIDEOS PLEASE LIKE AND COMMENT THIS VIDEO! NEXT UP REVOLVER (2005)!
Southland Tales competed for Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006, where it was heavily criticized for its incoherent and "stupid" plot. The film was originally set for a theatrical release in fall 2006 but this was pushed back all the way to November 2007 due to re-editing etc. With the additional editing that Richard Kelly did, most people don't get the plot of this film at all.
Southland Tales is indeed a very confusing and mind-bending film. Once you get it, you won't stop liking it. There are three graphic novels that stand as prequels and after reading that you will have a much better understanding of what is going on in the film. However, the novels went largely unread and are hard to get. I know that most people won't buy the graphic novels either.
In this video, I attempt to explain the entire movie. So much is going on that it was quite hard, but I still didn't want this to just be a basic explanation. I have worked on this for a long time and Southland Tales has become one of my favorite films. I won't deny that it took my four viewings until I finally understood the film itself. The first time it was confusing but because I am highly entertained by strange films I liked it.
The movie features a very mainstream cast including Justin Timberlake, Dwayne Johnson, Seann William Scott and the list goes on. I thought that would ultimately make the movie bad considering Justin Timberlake is the only one out of those who I would consider a "good" actor. I thought they were intended to be miscast but after a few watches, I realized that I got it all wrong.
Twitter: / icebears4ever
Facebook: / icebears4ever

[@JoryStultz1234]

Pimps don't commit suicide.

[@pitchingwedge7546]

I honestly can't believe people thought that was bad dialogue

[@FranticAnimations]

Awful line.

[@JoryStultz1234]

@@FranticAnimations I thought it was genius shlock, but to each their own.

[@AgentLemmon]

Also, scientists are saying the future is going to be far more futuristic than they originally predicted

[@Wolfsbane909]

@@AgentLemmon but deena storm still fucked the president though

[@pirobot668beta]

The moment I saw the delayed reflection, I knew not to hold to tightly to 'reality' on the screen. Treer's power system broke space/time somehow, and reality gets 'jumbled'.

[@itsurboukris]

This movie reminded me so much of David Lynch films. I honestly wish Richard Kelly would come back to directing because this and Donnie Darko are absolutely fascinating, surreal, strange and very, very funny with memorable characters, sequences, set pieces, design and world building.

[@m-bronte]

2 hit wonder, but yah I agree I wish he would return with something new.

[@freegriffin2024]

@@m-bronte 2 hit wonder is pretty funny when he only got to make 3 films

[@boombaby1769]

Southland Tales is indeed the most beautiful mess in cinematic history. I'm dead serious.

[@LeCharles07]

The craziest part of this movie was realizing on the 10th re-watch that Kevin Smith is the hacker, computer whiz guy.

[@mitchellhodgemeyer1950]

I showed the Cannes cut to my friend, with a lot of exposition, beforehand, and said I fully understand how it failed. There was too much to fit in one movie (if you have to read THREE comics, before seeing a movie, it's already failed), and there are occasional homages to film history that are, frankly, the self-indulgence of a film-school student ('Hey...look how much about film history I know!'). Nonetheless, this failure is more interesting, more compelling, than many mainstream successes. I think, perhaps, it would have worked better as a television show with a fixed end -- kind of a Twin Peaks or Mr. Robot kind of thing.

[@georgez1589]

Good video. I always just liked this movie because of the way I felt while watching it. It's like something was always happening that was just out of my grasp of realization, but when you let go and just let it flow over you it is easy to enjoy.

[@TheBoxingCannabyte]

This is one of my favorite movies

[@fabulousdolphin4221]

Cool

[@CopiousDoinksLLC]

I thought I was the only one who was fascinated by this movie. Southland Tales is so bizarre in the way that it doesn't really 'work' as a movie but it's still sort of captivating and interesting to follow. You get this weird feeling when you're watching it as if you're in a kind of dream and everything is unreal.

[@jackslepowron5905]

@@CopiousDoinksLLC Yeah just watched its bizarre but awesome

[@gerardduffy5000]

No It's not

[@stefanvalkola4513]

I believe foundation of the movie is a playful reimagining of The Book of Revelations that has been set in a satirical alternate universe. The movie says it straight out several times; this is a story about the end of the world, and it features prophets and false messiahs. Just as importantly, the movie is a vehicle for director Richard Kelly to bring some pet ideas and homages to the screen. I believe he once explained the movie as just a "big party", a sort of feel good take on the apocalypse. As fascinating as all that is, I personally prefer another reading in which the whole movie is a story made up by Pilot Abilene to cope with the trauma he suffered in Iraq. He was seriously injured, probably bitter about the war and the direction of politics and media in his home country. He may even be under the influence from his treatment or 'self-medication' while writing the story. His best friend Ronald/Roland Taverener who caused the injury is also traumatised by it. The story Abilene concocts serves to redeem Taverner and to ultimately make him the most important character in the world, while Abilene himself is in the story as an observer who only occasionally intervenes to push the plot forward. He makes up a ridiculous fantasy where his favourite celebrities are prophets of the apocalypse and the battle of good and evil is reduced to an exaggerated American de facto two-party system. Most of the plot is driven by in-universe artists and entertainers, because those are the people he imagines as he writes the story. The world he imagines for the future year 2008 is a messed up continuation of the War on Terror that left him crippled. Some points to consider for this reading of the movie: - The twin nuclear strikes occur in two Texas cities: El Paso and Abilene. One of those cities share the same name as the narrator. Surely this is not a coincidence, it is not like Abilene is a noteworthy city that is a likely target of either nuclear terrorism or war. Pilot Abilene picked this location for his story because of the name only. - Fluid Karma is both a substance extracted from earth and a machine that generates inexhaustible wireless electrical power. It seems rather pointless to call these two different things by the same name. Perhaps Abilene mixed things up while telling the story? - Much of what happens and what is said by characters throughout the film is immature, very much in line with Pilot Abilene's supposed age. I'm assuming that since he was sent to Iraq he is in his early 20's, a dude-bro who is culturally limited to popular entertainment and views the world through that lense. - Apparently, World War 3 is an American mass military intervention in the middle east and north korea and apparently nothing beyond that. This is an extremely Americanised understanding of the world and the idea of world wars. Abilene is just a young guy who has never considered a world view beyond his own. The only wars he knows are ones that look American, and in his time that means Americans fighting in far away deserts and arid lands. It makes little sense for other people in the alternate universe of the movie to talk of it as World War 3, but it makes sense to Abilene the narrator. Abilene the 20-something who was disfigured in Iraq and whose whole future is defined by this event. - The frequent use of throw-away characters. Martin Kefauver is the most obvious one. Once he has served his purpose in the story he is literally discarded of. This is poor screen writing on Abilene's part. Whatever, Abilene just wants to get onwards to the themes and scenes he actually care about. At one point, Abilene's own character intervenes by killing another minor and poorly written throw-away character just to progress the story. The dance routine is just the author self-inserting himself rather poorly and gratuitously. The ending of the story is what it is all about. Everything that is happening in the story is unimportant, it is messy, it is rushed, but it serves as a vehicle for Pilot Abilene to get Taverner to reach the last scene. Once there, Abilene forgives Taverner for his mistake and convinces him to get on with his life. Taverner lowers the gun he intends to kill himself with, accepts that he must live with his mistake and the two of them live out a nihilistic end-of-the-world ending with mutual smiles. Screw it all, right, Abilene got the point across, might as well end the story with a bang too. His best friend Taverner deserves it.

[@stefanvalkola4513]

christopher deshaies It's not a bad theory, Taverner is the only sane character, everyone else is over the top. It could be his story, his fantasy, but more things 'click' when you assume Abeline is concocting this messy story in honor of Taverner. Thanks for commenting, I actually forgot I wrote this until being notified of your comment.

[@alexfigueroa1434]

I agree! The story we see is one made up by Abilene, he says so right at the beginning! All the "shortcomings" of the wonderfully surreal, confused and funny/cheesy-Sci-Fi aspects of the story are therefore part of defining Abilene's character and state of mind. What we are seeing is a story made up by a drugged-out young soldier with PTSD, who bonded with his best friend Taverner over porn, Pro-Wrestling, cheesy-catchphrase Action movies and stoner sketch comedy. The purpose of the story is for Taverner to forgive himself for the friendly fire accident in which he shot Abilene, so they can be best-friends again. It's crazy while most find the movie a confused mess, even if they like it, I find the ending incredibly moving, because underneath the camouflage it is a very emotional story of true friendship, covered up with a bunch of male-bonding craziness, since men can't just express their emotions out loud in badass USA culture. For me, unlike what everyone else says, this is very similar to Donnie Darko! The body of the movie with its surreal metaphysical story is made up by his best-secret-friend Frank in response to Donnie's death. At first he tries to imagine a way for Donnie to still be alive, but since that is impossible he cleverly creates a story giving his death meaning with Donnie heroically sacrificing himself to save the universe. I lived in Venice in the 80's & 90's and on top of everything else I love about the movie, for me it totally captures the wild electric mood of the city on a hot summer day, when you could go from the slummy boardwalk beach hangout to an Eye's Wide Shut party in a Hollywood Hills mansion, anything could and did happen. Make more movies Richard Kelly!

[@jakeyoung123]

Hey of you like this movie, my friend and I do a podcast where we break it down minute by minute. We watch 60 seconds and then talk about it for several minutes. New episodes added EVERY DAY at www.obscurereferencepodcast.com/sst

[@TheGenXInfluencer54]

That is an interesting take on the film, I had thought something similar but it has been a very long time since I have watched it. My only caveat is that by your definition there has never been a world war. Even Alexander's conquests were only of the known world at the time, thereby "Hellenic" centric. Most of the world was not involved in ww1 or 2. What would be the criteria? How many countries have to be in conflict? Cheers!

[@holidaycomplex]

@@TheGenXInfluencer54 the world wars were between colonial powers which had conquered most of the world at that point

[@JBrew22x]

Was this guy eating peanut butter while he was explaining?

[@starrykat7263]

The whole time I'm watching this video I keep thinking back to this comment and I can't stop laughing lol.

[@toofar2real]

🤣🤣

[@mattgilbert7347]

Kelly pretty much said that this was a meta-fictional retelling of Revelations. It's understandable, those were (and still are) apocalyptics times. Great satire, despite the flaws.

[@MarcelinoSoliz]

Sorry bud but Sarah Michelle Geller was awesome and this movie was awesome.

[@jakeyoung123]

Marcelino Dreams Hey of you like this movie, my friend and I do a podcast where we break it down minute by minute. We watch 60 seconds and then talk about it for several minutes. New episodes added EVERY DAY at www.obscurereferencepodcast.com/sst

[@Crystal-yn9qb]

She's a catch in that role

[@jeremiedaddy4870]

Wow. Looking at this in 2021 is kinda …. Well. Bizarre!

[@Sparlacas]

Right? I woke up thinking about this movie and in 2021, it makes me uncomfortable.

[@ryanhoekstra6000]

Well done man, i've watched this movie more times than i can count. It's actually in my top 5. But if you would ask me why, it would be hard to explain... anyways, You came to the same conclusions i have and filled in some of the holes. This movie has more going for it than 99% of movies because it makes you think.

[@TranzparentMethods]

It's a smart movie, for smart people... If you think about it, you can get it. I got it from my first viewing. It's about the end of the world, in short... In the long, it has to do with multiple universes merging, therefore, tearing the very seams of reality.

[@jakeyoung123]

Ryan Hoekstra Hey of you like this movie, my friend and I do a podcast where we break it down minute by minute. We watch 60 seconds and then talk about it for several minutes. New episodes added EVERY DAY at www.obscurereferencepodcast.com/sst

[@LeCharles07]

I put this at #1. If for no other reason than the final line. People say this is Dwayne Johnson's worst film but I think he does his best acting here.

[@xamalion7334]

It’s one of my favorite movies of all time and I’m so happy they finally released the Cannes Cut on Blu Ray last year. ❤ A lot of people don’t like it, but for me that movie is a window into a parallel earth where a lot is the same but also enough is different. I find it fascinating, bold, crazy and wonderful. Before it got released there was a highly interactive homepage for the movie which was also ahead of its time, especially for 2005. Unfortunately it got not saved anywhere. And let’s not forget the hyper melancholic and stunning score from Moby and the killer soundtrack. Richard Kelly might be the hero for a lot of people because of Donnie Darko (of course well deserved), but for me he is one because of Southland Tales! ❤

[@amyhogarten5038]

Thanks for this. This movie is truly a “film”, and since it’s a film, language alone cannot completely describe it. It needs to be viewed. And viewed repeatedly. The plot, subplots, characters, thematic elements, visual imagery, political commentary, near future speculations about media (much of which have now become ironically true) are so interwoven that it needs and begs to be “watched”. I guess in a very general sense this film has the simultaneous nature of being many genres at once, similar (in method) to David Lynch’s films. Is it a comedy, a political thriller, science fiction, social critique, anti-war commentary, dystopian future or many other genres? Well, it’s ALL of those things AT ONCE. So if you’re seeking a simple “realistic” narrative based film, this movie is prob not for you. This film just doesn’t dish out material for entertainment and consumption, it requires you to actively engage, and in a certain way, “digest” your way through the movie.

[@ari.infinity]

i watched southland tales three times in a day... never happened with another movie and never will happen... the atmosphere... its a complete parallel world... complex as a real world... we understand our world? we know nothing. world, cosmos is a mistery... i love with all my heart Kelly and I hope he'll resurrect. we are waiting for his movies

[@mintysurfer14]

You are dope man

[@xamalion7334]

Thanks man, I’m always explaining the movie as a parallel earth. ❤

[@jusaviceking]

The fucking soundtrack is unworldly

[@luvair6765]

I love this film. The feeling. It transports me back to the 2000s more than any-other film. I don't think Richard Kelly intended this, but man the feeling the politics the mentalities. The subtle weird archetypes that uniquely nail the era.

[@lordteabelly]

Ive just sat and watched this whole video and i still have no idea what you were talking about😆

[@glyn420]

You thought it rang true in 2016 wait until you get to 2021.

[@luccirobbins6675]

If anything, the ending to this film (the Cannes Cut at least) is absolutely beautiful.

[@MrCryptoChris]

It predicts the future because many influencers are in the know and/or are paid well by a faction to publish a certain agenda.

[@captchasuck]

On the nose.

[@MrJasonshores364]

I absolutely love this movie.

[@d___c____5604]

James Gunn sites this movie as his inspiration for the concept of using music to help tell the story, he used it in the guardians of the Galaxy movies.

[@ShesThe1yup]

Dwayne Johnson "the Rock" does wayyyyyyyyyy more than just action movies.

[@capttrips1523]

@GANNON KUEHN idk, he does comedy and drama pretty well. My only critique of him in this film was that he doesn't do fear well

[@guitarguru.3572]

This movie came out during the pinnacle of my LSD and psilocybin phase. I fucking loved it.

[@joynerkt]

Richard Kelly has been on inception level before Nolan! So awesome!

[@eyeseer1]

Inception was a puzzle. Southland Tales was a Rubix cube.

[@dennisdunb]

Watch this movie now with the events of 2020 in mind!

[@rogeliovaldez6594]

Try 2024

[@crispymolecule]

so here's my two cents on how it all fits together in the end: The revelation of John is based on a fluid-karma-induced vision where, back in biblical times, the author witnessed the events of the year 2008 (visions across spacetime are a side-effect of fluid Karma). He sees a floating ice-cream truck, an exploding airship, bloodshed in the streets. If all of this baffles the regular viewer of today, it must have made quite an impression on a dopehead in the year 60 CE! He decides to write it down, and this became known as the revelation of John. When P. Abilene promotes his fluid karma shots to the kid, he describes it as: "you talk to god.. you hear his voice and you see his disciples". If this is how taking FK feels, no wonder the author of the revelation was interpreting the all the movie characters through this particular lens to somehow make sense to them. Also, this 'gazing across the abyss of time' resonates very much with the ideas of Donnie Darko. What I like about this interpretation is the extra-biblical reading of events described in the bible. It is also what I enjoyed so much about Neon Genesis Evangelion some twenty years ago, where some extraterrestrial grotesque monsters were the angels of the apocalypse that were foretold in the Tora and bible, and the Lance of Longinus (cue Life of Brian reference here) was a reeally big weapon to be wielded by the badass Mecha of the heroes.

[@WelcomeToMyDream]

That is strong, very nice.

[@naturesquad9174]

If you liked this and NGE, you should read Grant Morrison's comic series The Invisibles. Imo it did this type of supercontext/inception narrative better than almost anything since, so well in fact that it inspired The Wachowskis to rip it off and make the Matrix. The Invisibles was the inception for the Matrix meme. The comic also predicts everything from memes, smartphone addiction, gender fluidity, and the internet destroying peoples ability to distinguish fake crises from real crises, with the real 2012 apocalypse turning out to be the internet usurping physical reality...if you thought the AI speech from Metal Gear Solid 2 was mind-blowing and prophetic, just wait till you read The Invisibles. Also, the writer claims the plot was dictated to him by aliens (that were actually ourselves from the future) that abducted him in Nepal in 1994. Like Southland Tales, time travel is central but the time machine itself is the comic book, simulating reality up to the moment the time machine gets invented and our continuum collapses into the 5th dimension....or at least that's how it feels when you read it 😂 If you want a book that will fuck your head up and have you temporarily question your sanity, read The Invisibles

[@futurisma9014]

amazing perspective, thank you "this whole movie was telepathically transmitted to someone during biblical times and they transcribed it as the book of revelation" i'm on like 7 layers of meta interpretation now

[@Wolfsbane909]

yeah that why during an election year former president up for re-election has to pay deena storm porn star for sex tape

[@JoryStultz1234]

Man after collecting all kinds of esoteric knowledge, this films has even more layers of symbolism. The smiley faces being the most predominant symbol.

[@Jordy666sic]

Upon my first viewing I, as everyone else, followed only a bit of the story. Though I immediately felt it was part of a bigger whole. The presence of USIDENT and the overal atmosphere in the movie make the weird conflicts and odd actions of the characters very believable. That's what I loved about the movie. It is all very out of place, but performed so convincing that it sparked my interest. Great video, lots of things I missed while researching this cult classic.

[@Icebears4ever]

Thank you man, yes I love this film too because of those reasons. It's a very important film.

[@SkyeFische]

This movie is more relevant than ever.

[@lankeled38]

I actually like all of those actors, I use to think Da Rock was a bad actor, but I think hes a great actor now.

[@imperialwolf7872]

I absolutely adore this movie, when I first watched it I had a total "wtf was that" experience but since then this movie has grown more and more on me with time. It's at a point now where the state of cinema is more generic and sanitised than ever, that I grow even more appreciation for this movie and it's weirdness. People can say what they want about how confusing this movie is but there's one thing they can't deny, and that's how this film is easily one of the most original movies released since the turn of the century.

[@rogeliovaldez6594]

2020-2024 this movie more relevant than ever

[@stevenclark1662]

This has been one of my favorite movies for 10 years. I STILL don't understand it. But damn I Love it.

[@Wolfsbane909]

its simple they stoler santoro's script, profit off it. then when confronted about the fifth dimension, they lied about basically everything. basically kinda scumbag people

[@LadyMFUnicorn]

Wow it feels good, I figured most of this out without reading the book.

[@EvaLuana338]

Thank you for that in depth explanation. I didn't know that on the red drug people had telepathic powers and I thought Roland was forgiving himself/his brother Ronald, not Pilot. I felt guilty when you mentioned people that went to the Internet to have things explained instead of researching it themselves, but, it's a lot faster! I really enjoyed this movie, mostly because I didn't understand it all and I love movies where you keep thinking about them after you watch them. That rarely happens. I also like movies that are funny, serious and make statements about current events. That often doesn't happen in one movie. One thing I still don't understand is did the NeoMarxists (Westphalen, etc.) know they were going to die aboard the Zeppelin, and if so, why did he build it? Thanks again for clarifying some of the important parts of the movie.

[@PhilipBroughtonMills]

Apologies for the year-late answer to this, but: You are right to wonder why the Baron is aboard the zeppelin. The answer is that he thinks Boxer is the messiah, and that he has Boxer under his control. He does not know about the existence of Taverner, the true messiah. In the Cannes Cut we learn that the Baron instructed that Boxer's car through the rift should be automated, but Serpentine betrays him and sends a human driver, Taverner. She does this because she wants to end the madness caused by the slowing of the earth's rotation (explained to her by Kuntzler).

[@terrywitzu3795]

Note on casting: Kelly purposely chose all of his favourite SNL player's and the funniest guest's he's ever seen. Aside from Will Sasso who was the best guy on MadTV ever.

[@604eign]

Terry Witzu no... Artie Lange was

[@Bidwellz9]

no, artie lange isnt funny..never was

[@angusyoung4896]

Bidwellz9 Kelly recently said he was trying to get Artie in this movie. But Artie was contracted to be on Howard Stern so he couldn't do it.

[@604eign]

Angus Young hahahaha thanks for that info.. just goes to show... man Bobby Lee was funnier then fckn Will Sasso

[@604eign]

Bidwellz9 hmm well seems like he was first pick of anyone from MadTV by Kelly, so the man who made the film disagrees with you and obviously settled for Sasso

[@NathanJosephCole]

People care about legalizing marijuana not (at least for myself) because they want to smoke it, but rather because they don't like the idea of what they see as innocent people getting arrested.

[@headfuel]

The best, most overlooked movie of all time!

[@AN-nx9hd]

They say it's impossible to understand this movie but that's wrong. It tells the story of -begin mumbling-. So much gratitude for CC.

[@RikiYamada]

Dude. SERIOUSLY GREAT JOB filling in the blanks. Personally, my friend was an extra for this film, & after he was done, FINALLY, he was able to tell me the title. We went to watch it, & for me, I’ve realized that my memory is TERRIBLE BUTTTTT, I’ve also learned abt myself that, I don’t have to necessarily understand every nook & cranny of the film. What matters to me, MOST, when I watch some thing, is how compelling & moving it was for me-THE FEELINGS THAT I FEEL IN MY SOUL, which (I feel) allows me to comprehend the film in a… idk like a 4th dimension understanding, as in a way of understanding of a completely different dynamic & sense, which does not (yet) exist, here, on earth. I especially LOVED the quirky, sarcastic, dark humor that was consistently shared between all the artists. I loved how the Rock played this comedic & some what timid & nervous-sensitive role, despite his appearance & physical build. I loved the unexpectedly MASSIVE array of famous, talented, familiar actors & actresses who appeared throughout the whole movie. Lastly, my fav. part was the ending, where the entire world was finally ending &, while there was pure chaos & panic happening on the ground, below, while the more rich, privileged, distinguished people were all on the MegaZeppelin ship, above, seemingly burying each other’s differences & CELEBRATING & accepting that ‘THIS IS HOW THE WORLD ENDS… that ‘it HAD to be this way’. The ending, for me, was, simultaneously, sad & happy-it left me w/ this beautiful, esoteric, transcendental, GOOD FEELING, inside. I apologize for writing so much. I hope that I made somewhat sense, here. Good night 😮‍💨 Thank you

[@persephone1961]

a cult favourite for me. used to put it on all the time, working as a video store clerk. stands up well to repeated viewings. thx for the additional insight, sir

[@masterchain3335]

Nice explanation. I think the movie is really interesting and has moments of greatness but has too many flaws for me to really like that much. I have seen it twice now hoping to appreciate it more and, while I did feel like I understood it better the second time through, I still think too much of it is awkwardly put together or misguided in execution. I do applaud it for its ambition and uniqueness. Most of the things you explain were things I picked up over my two viewings, but there were a couple things I missed, especially the telepathic communication between certain characters due to their use of the drug - that flew right over my head. Your analysis of the themes was also well done.

[@Icebears4ever]

Thanks Master Chain, much appreciated.

[@drew6874]

+Icebears4ever And this is the way the World ends. And with a bang, but a wimper.

[@pedrojesus29]

This mоovie is now availaaable to watcch here => twitter.com/2b6f5fe6f175bcda2/status/824454109713428481 Southland Tаlеs EХPPLАINED Breаkdoooown Heavy AAAnalysis

[@LuciferMorningstar-zu1ud]

It’s one of THE most 00s movies EVER. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s also not abysmal. I love its tongue in cheek, pitch-black humor and political satire.

[@TheSWFuniverse]

I remember waiting from the time the news hit about production around April 2005 to see this movie, until it finally came out in March 2008 on DVD.

[@tommycipriani2254]

TheSWFuniverse Me too. O was interested to see both Southland Tales and Guy Richie's Revolver in 2005, not until they came out in 2007 or 2008 when I got the DVDs. I disliked both and quickly regretted it.

[@TVGGAMEZCO]

I still don’t get it

[@AdamHauger]

Always loved this movie. Heard there was quite a bit cut out, which probably hurt it, as far as one time viewers understanding or appreciating it. It can't be that bad, I've bought the fucker like 3 or 4 times because people keep swiping it.

[@BarmyDeer]

So damn ahead of its time! And still completely relevant in 2022!

[@btchpants]

Annnd... I'll be watching this movie for the 42nd time in the morning.

[@markpaterson2053]

Can't believe someone finally nailed it! This is the only analysis I buy

[@zippoboyshaneshank8954]

Most of the people I've showed this film to, absolutely loved it, or at least, thought it was really interesting. I don't understand all the hate. It's hard to follow, and not all the pieces are there ( The comic contains the background info ). The first time I saw it, I was very confused but I still loved the movie, the humor, and the creativity on display. It's so much fun and has some of my favorite performances.

[@Landrew0]

"The Rock" also describes his acting depth.

[@LearsGhost]

Thanks for taking the time to hash it out. This is easily one of my favorite films. I do wish that you had spent a little more time revealing the setup presented in the prequel saga. There is a lot of material there you could have included that would make this even clearer. Also, I might be mistaken, but I think the living Boxer is the duplicate, and not the one who is dead. And the rift in the desert was created by them tampering with Fluid Karma, not as a result of drilling for Fluid Karma. It just appears, in other words. You could have also included the blinking orbs...they are how Fluid Karma powers things and are used to guide Boxer toward his destiny within the conspiracy. Another thing you could have included was the frequent references to Alchemical and Tarot symbols in the movie. It's not just a interpretation of Revelation, but an adaptation of those idea's as well.....annnnnd there are the references to Dungeons and Dragons too! Overall this was really good, probably the best, explanation of this film, so hats off to you!

[@Icebears4ever]

If I was to cover everything from Southland Tales, I'd probably be uploading the video from my grave. This is just an easily accessible explanation for the general audience. Thanks for your kind words! Fellow Southland Tales fan I see. ;)

[@jakeyoung123]

LearsGhost Hey of you like this movie, my friend and I do a podcast where we break it down minute by minute. We watch 60 seconds and then talk about it for several minutes. New episodes added EVERY DAY at www.obscurereferencepodcast.com/sst

[@_Elizabeth_theMaid]

You think it was close to the truth in 2016…well let me tell you about 2024 😅 thanks for the video. I’ve been fascinated with this movie since I first saw it years ago. I understand it a little bit more now.

[@jonathanlippe]

One of my favorite movies ever. I enjoyed your review. I’ve read the prequels, enjoyed Donnie Darko and The Box. I love all of the hidden meanings and satire and social commentary in the film - especially since it was objective in lampooning both The Right and The Left. Disclosure: I read QAnon posts daily.

[@pitchingwedge7546]

I didn't need to understand it. Something about the way this movie was put together just hypnotized me.

[@zombieowen]

I love Kelly's approach to exploring time. There's notes of really interesting things that I wish came together in some way, but it's way too convoluted and vague. I didn't even remember that there's a drug but it's two drugs? Definitely the sign of a director needing someone to reign him in.

[@lb2525]

You do you icebears4ever! I love this analysis. I've subbed because of it. Look forward to more content like this!

[@Icebears4ever]

+Larnie Bruce Glad you liked it! There's more to come. Took four months of research to do this one though hehe, so I will work as hard on the next one.

[@disf5178]

Absolutely brilliant story. I don't understand how it did so poorly. People are stupid.

[@Spartangeneral7]

Boxer (the body) was found in the wreckage of a car that was created by TREER who was sponsoring a race (cover of the experiment through the rift at Lake Mead), which is the original reference to the monkeys. Thanks for the analysis, it helped me understand parts of the movie I couldn't grasp.

[@Kilhunter13]

Pretty much everything you said was explained in the movie. The ONLY thing I doubt in your explanation was the whole "it's actually Pilot Abilene talking" during the forgiveness scene at the end in the ice cream truck. Ronald / Roland being the same person, just from different points in time, the "I forgive you" lines were from himself to himself. He needed to forgive himself for the tragedy of the friendly fire incident, which he took great shame in. That's it, no drug fueled telepathic communication from Pilot.

[@davidjones8043]

No this wasn't explained in the movie lol hence the comic. Kelly said he intentionally took things out so the audience wouldn't understand... And he actually wanted to take MORE out. As for the drug and telepathy, why do you think Abilene asked the kid if he liked to bleed, then said 'it lets you talk to God"

[@jazztrumpet-8246]

This is a film for people who are WOKE. Not for the simple minded.

[@terrywitzu3795]

I could only find the third issue of the prequels. I don't understand why any self-respecting, and confident filmmaker would want to subject themselves to those critical frogs attacks on their creation. It is directed towards a very small audience, those who get the symbols. The ending is such an incredible twist on the Apocalypse, it's covertly disguised as a resolution, whereas it actually ends where the real trouble starts.

[@amielkevin]

Just discovered this video today, by looking for the final scene of this film. I just want to say that I always loved this movie. I saw it so many times. And I'm happy to see that we understand it in the same way :) This film is pure genius. It's in my top too :) Love everything about it. Some songs are in my playlist for ever !

[@aleksandrarzamasov2421]

You forgot about midget SWAT. That was fucking hilarious. Anyway, good explanation, thx.

[@TheSWFuniverse]

He also got a kill or two. Fucking brilliance. Like Odd Job in GoldenEye N64 Multiplayer brilliant!

[@ddlk9913]

It is not "impossible to understand"

[@sdawg4834]

I knew Southland Tales was a good movie because I didn't quite understand what was going on. All I knew knew was that it was based in a dystopian future where most of the people were literally disconnected from themselves in that there was a lack of humanity between one another.

[@Edertainment01]

Greta video! I'm just as obsessed with this film as you are. I own the Prequel Saga and I have read it about 5 times and have watched the film multiple times. In fact, I make it time to watch it at least once a month and I'm still so fascinated with it and all its layers and elements. That's what I love about all of Richard's films. Everything you explained in your video was pretty much the way I have seen in through my own interpretation. I have not really sat down to read revelations or don't really know anything about the 'second coming of Christ' but I do know that it kinda says that He will return to make earth his kingdom again. I have a friend who's pretty religious and he sometimes teaches me some things about the bible and revelations and he once explained to me that when Jesus returns, he will return from the clouds with great power and on a white horse.

[@gabrielesartoris9550]

Hi, first of all let me state how much I appreciated the fact that you took time to analyze and explain the movie. I generally think the media got the whole point wrong and the fact that it was bashed in Cannes didn't help at all. I saw the movie several time, I find it aesthetically pleasing, not to mention the soundtrack which I love. While I was trying to understand the movie I read an online interview regarding Richard Kelly and his views on the movie, plus I found the 3 chapters that are not part of the movie itself. Many details were explained by this reading.Regarding your video, in the middle I got the impression you were telling facts about the plot that could be explained after watching the movie a couple of times. But then you got to the final part where you explain some concepts and as I feel like I want to leave my thoughts about them. Regarding the insane celebrity-obession that the media nowadays seems to have regarding some characters, I can't help myself but to think as Krysta Now (former pornstar, a new reality show, a pop career, a energy drink) as Kim K, which is ironic because the film came out in 2006 and 1 year later she rose to fame for her sextape and turned her name into an empire. Also the fact that Richard Kelly chose Rebekah Del Rio is not singular. If you've seen Mullholland Drive, she's also sining "not live" in a theater and that's a key moment of David Lynch's movie. In Mullholland Drive it is stated that what the characters experience in the theatre where Rebekah Del Rio sings is fake and unrealistic. Everything is made up. And that's David Lynch's way to explicitly tell the viewers to pay close attention to the twist he's delivering. What Rebekah sings in Mullholland Drive is a painful and heartbreaking song but at some point she faints and the song continues to play even though it's not live. I see connection between this detail and the fact Richard Kelly use the same singer to perform in front of an audience. I don't believe in coincidences. Another thing I notice is how relevant it is with the black people shootings, I'm not from the United States but I heard about it and also the whole black lives matter movement, which to me in the movie is shown as a way to obscure other important issues (mind, I'm not saying black people lives don't matter) I'm just saying that it's a bit odd because we've been hearing about it since the 80s - 90s and still this issue is not only still relevant but it is used as a way to obscure other relevant problems that are not shown in the media. I find it sick. The whole USIdent concept is interesting because it is an extreme of something we gave up years ago with the introduction of social media, thinking that the government is a big brother constantly watching us is an old concept. Today we can be easily tracked down by our constant presence in the web without requiring any type of serious government presence. I also found it foretelling the fact that not only the 2008 crisis was predicted but only the republican party is shown as the most powerful one, which is what I guess people are turning into in these times of social crisis and fear. Thank you again for your video, I look forward to the others

[@Icebears4ever]

Thanks for your kind words Gabriele. Firstly, I love David Lynch. I'm a filmmaker and he is the main reason I got into it together with some other directors including Richard Kelly. My works are mostly Lynch-inspired but lots of other influences as well from philosophy, psychology and of course other filmmakers. So I've seen Mulholland Drive and thought of just that. She's there for a reason. Richard Kelly stated that in an interview somewhere. The whole movie is just so misunderstood that I felt like I had to explain the whole thing first before I got into a short analysis. it's a damn misunderstood one and it doesn't help that you have to read three graphic novels to understand it. Southland Tales is an important movie. Maybe the time travel element ruined the view for the general audience as it mainly created confusion (I'm sure an average movie goer gets the satire of it).

[@Jordy666sic]

If we are talking David Lynch references/influences, what about the lunch scene between Taverner and Boxer. It opens with Taverner saying “I’ve had this recurring dream”. This instantly reminded me of the Diner Scene from Mulholland Drive, where Man 1 tell his co-worker (Man 2) about a dream he had. This reference becomes even more clear when the two men, standing behind Boxer, attract Taverner’s attention. The guy with the red mohawk had a look on his face that reminded me a lot of the look of Man 1 in Mulholland Drive, when he reveals himself at a later stage in the movie. Shocked, frightened and intimidating. Same goes for the way music is edited to create a certain atmosphere in Lynch's films. Even when it sometimes contradicts with the images we see on screen. That same, melancholic synth music can be heard throughout Southland Tales. (Great soundtrack..!)

[@gabrielesartoris9550]

Totally right, I honestly didn't see it that way. Thanks for this, the soundtrack is amazing and I'm always listening to it ( :

[@appenginenode]

A great analysis of the film. When I watched it first time around, I just presumed the things in the ocean made everything dream like - it never occurred to me there was a bigger story. Never heard of the prequel graphic novels either, which is suprising as I normally know quite a bit about these kind of films. Did you notice the Philip K Dick reference?

[@fuffoon]

I thought The Rock proved that he can act outside of the hero roll. Maybe he just takes direction well but he was great as a nervous wreck in this.

[@OnlyFloyd]

Actually, OP, I thought I had a good idea of what the movie was about, I just wondered what others' opinion was. I've seen many "reviews" destroying this movie. I did enjoy your perspective, thanks. You're right, it is a good movie.

[@Icebears4ever]

Thanks!

[@dwellwithus3023]

angels coming into the flesh the forbidden fruit makes sense of this entire movie. "pimps don't commit suicide" could be a reference to Lucifer and his suicide mission. He sold us "I got sold but im not soldier" "i saw the shadows of the morning sun, until the light and shadows are one" Lucifer is dawning his own creation. But he is going to lose.

[@firetube2ndchannel]

It wasn’t “ahead of its time” the fuck, just because a movie is incomprehensible doesn’t make it innovative

[@mintysurfer14]

It’s not incomprehensible tho

[@blairunderwood9503]

Sarah Michelle Gellar is an amazing actress and deserves a lot of praise and respect. Just because she didn't always have commercially successful movies, doesn't make her less capable for her job. Cruel Intentions, Buffy, Ringer, Veronika Decides to Die, The Air I Breathe are some of my favorite works of her, not all equally successful but she was amazing.

[@samuelkey1185]

Whats the background music you use during the video. Specifically the last five minutes or so.

[@colby781]

This movie had some great satirical lines/scenes. When Martin Kefauver has to use the ATM and his shit is declined and he panics and goes "What am I gonna do, Dog?" I thought that was hilarious. Also, when Bart Bookman shoots Element and says the "Flow, my tears." line. I love this movie.

[@mauroconi1285]

Kelly most underrated director ever

[@oldplanetmedia1629]

What's up with the stuff that gets cut off near the end?

[@Wolfsbane909]

the song by trisha now is actually in the dvd special fyi

[@gutterratshinobi4050]

Somewhere I got lost and couldn’t find my way back

[@tomlion0116]

The FUCKING Car scene make's PERFECTLY SENSE now!!!

[@markojovic1350]

Nice vid i really like your commentary and i can feel that you love talking about movies thats why it is so good

[@Icebears4ever]

+The Joker Thanks man, yes I love talking about films that I love. For instance, Southland Tales. ;)

[@tonyyoung3985]

I understood it. I don't need a prequel. But he didn't set it up properly within the film itself. It was a simple solution but Kelley wasn't enough of a sci fi fan to pull it off. Still, I liked the film itself though.

[@The33LEO33]

I’m confused about the different versions of this movie. The Cannes cut is supposedly 3 hours long, and the theatrical version 2.25 hours, but the version I have from the iTunes Store is 2.40 hours and seems to include much of the stuff cut from the Cannes version ( the general MacArther scenes for example). Anyone know how this differs from the Cannes cut?

[@Icebears4ever]

There's a lot of confusion about the length of the film. From my own understanding, the Cannes version is 160 minutes (three hours length is a myth). Where are you located at? I believe the Cannes version was releaed in the UK on television.

[@zippoboyshaneshank8954]

Wisecrack has been talking about doing a Southland Tales episode of their podcast, for sometime now. I would love to see that. Their episodes on the Matrix sequels were great and they were very fair, acknowledging the flaws, while praising the film maker's efforts, and creative ideas.

[@evanward4303]

I got the Blu Ray

[@LeCharles07]

Southland Tales failed because people aren't smart enough. It helps to know the book of revelations by heart and think a bit metaphorically about things. I think Dwayne Johnson does some of his best acting in this movie.

[@justinfuriated]

never knew about this cannes cut. how do you watch it?

[@trabant3060]

Sailing the seas

[@bigbananafew2573]

5,207 - 800k by the end of the year. Film breakdown: The Shawshank Redemption

[@Icebears4ever]

+xCSOP Thanks man but that won't happen, I mean 800k subs.

[@bigbananafew2573]

Icebears4ever You never know its happened

[@EricPatno]

This was essentially the same interpretation I had after going back to the film. This made me want to read the prequel books.

[@davido3403]

FkN LOVE THIS MOVIE. Every time I watch it I get a different understanding and that's what makes it so good.

[@GuitarGuru357-rz9eb]

The movie really hit for more because I absolutely hated the Bush’s and Cheney’s, and I still do.

[@thlee3]

Thank you for putting this together

[@River-fz6xu]

2020 here we are

[@luismiranda8944]

"It's actually pretty smart! No really--- why are you laughing"

[@mishayaros]

Accurate analysis and helped me figure out “I’m a pimp” line! Good movie, liked and subscribed

[@codydameron2911]

The whole explanation of the film, and still no answer for my question. What do the glowing orbs throughout the film mean?

[@PhilipBroughtonMills]

In the comic it's explained that they are wireless power transceivers, extending the range of the ocean transmitter.

[@tonystyles21]

Where can I watch the first three stories to this beautiful disaster