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The Exterminating Angel

Luis Buñuel

Based on a Cinedrama by Luis Buñuel and Luis Alcoriza
Translated from the Spanish by Chase Madar

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Luis Buñuel (1900-1983) was a Spanish and Mexican filmmaker, widely considered to be one of the greatest of all time. Known for his surrealism and political commentary, he collaborated with painter Salvador Dali on Un Chien Andalou (1929), won an Academy Award for The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972), and was twice nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

The screenplay of The Exterminating Angel (1962), one of his most humorous and visually dazzling films, is a linguistically brilliant satire of social aspirations.

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 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.