The world of biopics is no stranger to artistic liberties, but when it comes to capturing the essence of the surrealist master Salvador Dalí, no ordinary film would suffice. The new trailer for DAAAAAALÍ is here, and it delivers exactly what you’d expect from a film about the famed Spanish painter: chaotic, mind-bending, and eccentric. Directed by French filmmaker Quentin Dupieux, this “fake-real biopic” embraces the wild, unpredictable nature of Dalí’s art and persona, promising an experience unlike any typical biographical film.
A Surrealist Take on a Surrealist Life
Much like Dalí’s artwork, DAAAAAALÍ is filled with bizarre and whimsical moments. The trailer introduces us to journalist Judith Rochant, played by Anaïs Demoustier, who is tasked with interviewing Dalí for a documentary-style project. However, the interview quickly spirals into a bizarre, dreamlike adventure that captures the essence of Dalí’s unpredictable personality. Rather than sitting down for a traditional conversation, Dalí continuously disrupts, delays, and derails the process, making Judith’s journey less about the artist himself and more about the surreal world he inhabits.
In a truly Dalí-esque twist, the artist is portrayed not by one actor but five, each donning his iconic upturned mustache. Edouard Baer, Jonathan Cohen, Giles Lellouche, Pio Marmaï, and Didier Flamand all embody different aspects of the enigmatic figure. This multiplicity of portrayals is fitting for a man who once famously declared, “I am not strange. I am just not normal.”
A “Fake-Real Biopic” That Defies Convention
Described as a “fake-real biopic” in the same vein as the 2023 film Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, DAAAAAALÍ doesn’t aim to be a fact-by-fact recounting of the painter’s life. Instead, it captures the very essence of Salvador Dalí in a way that only a surrealist film could. Like Weird, which played fast and loose with the details of Al Yankovic’s life—adding outlandish events such as a fictional affair with Madonna—DAAAAAALÍ plays with reality to present a portrait of the artist as wild and otherworldly as his work.
The trailer’s surreal moments speak to the film’s playful spirit: in one scene, Dalí requests an older version of himself be portrayed by an elderly man, while in another, dead dogs rain from the sky. The film isn’t bound by the constraints of realism, making it the perfect medium to capture an artist whose work was defined by its dreamlike qualities.
Capturing Dalí’s Essence
Salvador Dalí was a man who blurred the lines between art and life, often performing his public persona as a work of art in itself. To capture such a figure authentically, DAAAAAALÍ takes bold creative risks, mirroring the unpredictable nature of Dalí’s life and art. As seen in the trailer, one of the versions of Dalí declares, “This is DAAAAAALÍ!” signaling that this film is less about facts and more about feeling. The film leans into the absurd, fully embracing the eccentricities of its subject.
This method is reminiscent of other unconventional biopics, such as At Eternity’s Gate, in which Willem Dafoe portrayed Vincent van Gogh. While Dafoe was significantly older than van Gogh was at the time of his death, the film took creative liberties to present a spiritually accurate depiction of the artist’s tortured mind. Similarly, DAAAAAALÍ seeks to provide a portrait of Dalí that goes beyond historical accuracy, delving into the artist’s psyche and the surreal worlds he created.
An Anticipated Release
Set to hit theaters on October 4, DAAAAAALÍ promises to be a unique and entertaining ride for fans of surrealism and Dalí’s work. Distributed by Music Box Films, the movie is sure to capture the attention of art lovers and cinema-goers alike who are looking for something outside the norm.
In a world of formulaic biopics, DAAAAAALÍ stands out as a bold and exciting departure, offering an immersive look into the life of one of the most iconic artists of the 20th century. If the trailer is any indication, the film will be a fitting tribute to Dalí’s legacy—one filled with unexpected twists, visual splendor, and a touch of the absurd.