The opening scene of Alice begins with her sitting by a small stream next to someone who is reading a book while she is throwing rocks in the stream.  The reading person is obviously an adult, but the audience never gets to see the person’s face as the screen only displays the person from chest down while Alice is fully visible.  This is a great touch by Svankmajer as it directly brings the attention to only Alice, who clearly is very bored.  By the way, the only actor in the film is Alice (Kristyna Kohoutová), who tries in her boredom to turn the page of the book in the adults lap, but the adult brushes her off.

The first scene leads the audience into the opening credits and later the lips of Alice, which says, “Now you will see a film for children. Perhaps.”  The voice, which is Camilla Power in the English-speaking version, leaves a daunting echo in the mind of the audience as if a threat is imminent, but also awakens a curiosity.  The curiosity is similar to the one of Alice who follows a rabbit as her continuously growing curiosity brings her into a nightmarish world. However, her curiosity is more likely to depend on her boredom.

The story begins in Alice’s room where she has an abundance of toys and trinkets.  These toys also offer a déjà vu experience as the first scene after the opening credits displays two dolls similar to the reading adult and Alice sitting by the stream as Alice throws rocks in a half full tea cup in her room.  Consequently, she eyes the floor and room when she notices a stuffed rabbit that comes to life.  The rabbit pulls its nailed paws from the board underneath while the nails remain in the paws.  Svankmajer places a reversed analogy within this moment as the nails rest in the front to Jesus Christ’s crucifixion as both return to life later.  Furthermore, the rabbit continues to check the time on his watch, which he stores inside his stomach, as there is a large hole after having pulled himself from the board.  This portion metaphorically compares to the stress of the society to rush somewhere at a particular time, instead of taking time to enjoy the surroundings.  Svankmajer adds a little dark humor to this as sawdust covers the watch every time the rabbit brings it out of his stuffed stomach.

Alice offers a truly bizarre cinematic experience comparable to an acid trip, which some suggest.  Although, the film is a series of odd experiences that should freak Alice or any other child out, Alice conquers her fears and gains wisdom through what could be a succession of analogies and metaphors.  Yet, on the surface, Alice offers a haunting cinematic experience for everyone, which could leave an audience pondering forever.

DIRECTED BY

Jan Svankmajer

COUNTRY

Czech Republic / Switzerland
UK / Germany

Filmography links and data courtesy of