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Labyrinth: The Labors of Theseus (1971)
This 1971 film is a real classic that still holds up today - with its engaging story and memorable characters that'll keep you hooked.
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The Dark Side of Heroism: Unpacking the Myth of Theseus and Ariadne
summarizeEditor's Summary
The myth of Theseus and Ariadne is often reduced to a simple tale of heroism, but scratch beneath the surface and you'll find a complex web of interpretations. Alexandra Snezhko-Blotskaya's Soviet animated film 'Labyrinth. The Labours of Theseus' (1971) offers a unique perspective on the myth, one that highlights the darker aspects of heroism. From my perspective, the sheer number of variations suggests that the myth is rooted in something real. By presenting the ancient Greek myths in a straightforward way, Snezhko-Blotskaya sheds light on the culture of Ancient Greece, revealing a world far removed from our own, and challenging viewers to think critically about the myth's themes and motifs.
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When it comes to the myth of Theseus and Ariadne, there's a whole lot more to it than meets the eye. Take the Soviet animated film 'Labyrinth. The Labours of Theseus' (1971) by Alexandra Snezhko-Blotskaya, for example. In this version, Dionysus, the god of wine and festivities, abducts Ariadne from Theseus on their way to Athens. But that's not the only interpretation out there. There's also the one where Theseus himself leaves Ariadne on a deserted island, and she dies of heartbreak. And then there's the version where Dionysus shows up on the island where Theseus left Ariadne and marries her. As her reward, Zeus grants her immortality, and she goes on to have four kids. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
From my perspective, the sheer number of variations always suggests that the myth is rooted in something real.
I think what makes this animated film interesting is that Alexandra Snezhko-Blotskaya tried to tell the ancient Greek myths straight up, which is rare. The culture of Ancient Greece was a far cry from what we see today, and if you present their myths without sugarcoating, it can be downright shocking. Snezhko-Blotskaya at least partially preserves the historical truth in this film, and it's worth noting that she has a whole series of animated films based on ancient Greek myths, which I hope we'll get to discuss another time.
The most striking thing about this film is how it shows, albeit subtly, just how horribly the civilization of Ancient Crete degenerated. For a long time, it was considered the greatest and most beautiful civilization in human history.
Not many people know that the Minotaur, before it became a monster, was a beautiful figure in mythology – Asterion, or 'The Star'. But that's a whole different story. Even in the final version of the myth, there are some facts that are usually glossed over. One of them is that the Minotaur was Ariadne's half-brother. So, when Ariadne betrays her brother and participates in fratricide, it's a pretty big deal.
And that's not all – she also betrays her own people.
That brings us to the main question that makes this film so valuable.
Can such actions be justified – betraying one's own brother and one's own people?
Modern moral dogma says no way.
But let's not forget that all modern morals serve the interests of social parasites that dominate society, and as a result, they gloss over all uncomfortable questions.
What questions are being glossed over here?
First and foremost, the question of whether betrayal can, and often should, have justification. And that high-minded declaration 'Betrayal can never be justified!' is utter nonsense from start to finish.
It's shown quite clearly, for example, in the work of spies.
The essence of the work of someone like Stirlitz isn't just about becoming a traitor, but about constantly betraying the interests of those who trust you. But for some reason, in cultural productions, no one thinks to call spies traitors, on the contrary, they're heroes. And that's right, betraying the system can be an act of the highest heroism and expediency. And the fact that this logical bridge is constantly 'forgotten' to show doesn't change anything.
In the cartoon, albeit subtly, the main characteristic of the Minoan civilization is shown – ritual cannibalism. The Minotaur is a cannibal, after all. And this reflects historical truth. Greek city-states paid Crete tribute by sending their most beautiful young men and women to be eaten, in the literal sense.
Ivan Yefremov believed that the civilization of Ancient Crete and the civilization of Atlantis were one and the same, and there's some reason to this, if you remember the eruption of the volcano Santorini. But the main thing here is that the civilization of Atlantis, which remains one of the most beautiful legends to this day, reached an unprecedented level of social degradation on its final stage of development. The main characteristic of this culture was indeed ritual cannibalism. And this culture became truly repulsive.
There's still a lack of scientific data, but there's enough to say that the practice of eating the most beautiful Greek youths and maidens on Crete became the norm. Experienced priests learned to behead someone with one swing of their sword and then drink their brain from the skull. From there, the tradition of making elaborate cups adorned with precious stones in the shape of human skulls originated. And the most important thing is that the decadence of this civilization began to spread throughout the Mediterranean. In particular, the practice of drinking brain from a beheaded skull that the Cretans had adopted was already being followed by the Thracians.
I've always been fascinated by the myth of the Minotaur and the labyrinth. Some say that the eruption of the volcano on the island of Santorini was the trigger that set off a massive tsunami, which destroyed the city of Knossos and many other coastal towns on Crete. From there, Theseus, who was leading the Athenian fleet, had the chance to finish the job that nature had started. And Ariadne, who had helped Theseus navigate the labyrinth, ended up betraying her own people, which ultimately saved humanity from a moral collapse.
But, in a way, it's this very betrayal that's worth noting. It's what allowed Athens to flourish, thanks to the wealth that Theseus had plundered from Crete. Greek culture took a healthy path, and in many ways, it defined the course of human civilization, putting an end to the ritual cannibalism that was prevalent in Europe.
In my novel, 'Dark Flame', the main characters Edna Corn and Mir Grom have a meditation session where they recall their past lives as Ariadne and Theseus. It's a pivotal moment in the story, and it's what drives the plot forward. The eruption of Santorini, in my novel, is no coincidence.
Fortunately, A. Snezhko-Blotsky managed to convey this idea, albeit between the lines. And now, it's time for us to ask ourselves: what's the real cost of the moral and ethical norms that we've been taught to uphold, especially when it comes to the interests of social parasites?
Meet the main characters:
Theseus - the solar hero, destined to destroy the bloody order of the ancient Labyrinth:
Mir Grom - the embodiment of decay and cannibalistic cult:
Ariadne - priestess or traitor: The mystery of a dying civilization lies in her eyes:
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What inspired Alexandra Snezhko-Blotskaya to create this animated film?
Snezhko-Blotskaya was inspired by the rich cultural heritage of Ancient Greece and wanted to share it with a wider audience.
How does this film compare to other animated adaptations of the myth?
This film offers a unique perspective on the myth, one that highlights the darker aspects of heroism and challenges viewers to think critically about the story.
Is this film suitable for children?
While the film's animation and storytelling are engaging, some scenes may be disturbing for younger viewers due to their dark themes.
What can viewers expect from the film's animation and visuals?
The animation is beautiful and showcases Snezhko-Blotskaya's skill as an artist, but may appear dated to modern audiences.
How does the film's message relate to the myth of Theseus and Ariadne?
The film's message challenges viewers to think critically about the myth and its themes, offering a fresh take on a classic story.
What are some of the film's notable themes and motifs?
The film explores themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the complexities of human nature, using motifs such as the labyrinth and the Minotaur to convey its message.
Is this film part of a larger series or collection?
No, this film is a standalone work and not part of a larger series or collection.
What are some of the film's notable awards and recognition?
The film has received critical acclaim and has been recognized for its unique perspective on the myth of Theseus and Ariadne.
check_circlePros
- •Provides a fresh take on a classic story
- •Highlights the complexities of heroism
- •Sheds light on the culture of Ancient Greece
- •Features beautiful animation and storytelling
- •Challenges viewers to think critically about the myth
- •Offers a unique perspective on the myth of Theseus and Ariadne
cancelCons
- •May be too complex for some viewers
- •Lacks a clear narrative thread
- •Some scenes may be disturbing for younger viewers
- •The animation may appear dated to modern audiences
- •The film's message may be open to interpretation
- •The pacing can be slow at times
