NOOB FILM REVIEW - Salesman (1968) by David and Albert Maysles

Documentary appreciation sessions organised by Kuala Lumpur Film School, yesterday screening the ‘Salesman’ by David and Albert Maysles (1968), moderated by U-Wei Bin HajiSaari and guest panel Syed Zul Tojo

SYNOPSIS

A film potraying a real struggle of a group of salesmen going door to door selling Bible in the Mid-America in 1968.

REVIEW

Nothing appears to me clearer than the intent of David and Albert Maysles in potraying the economic struggles of the middle class, post ‘Great Depression’ and the end of the ‘Second World War’.

Also the filming period right after the great ‘Summer of Love’ and the Hippie movement in 1967 and the peak of the ‘Vietnam War’ and the people’s vocal objection towards sending the young to die there.

In almost the same breath, the utilisation or abuse by the Capitalists to dig deeper into the shallow pockets of the middle class to pay to prove their faith.

And indirectly asking the middle class who have sent their youngs to war, to submit to the Catholic faith. A stark contrast and irony of a wish for a government who preach war and blood.

The irony also shown in the salesmen appearance in full suits and leather seat convertibles, and gambling after the church sales talk.

The Catholic Church arent being taxed so making money there is one of the great escape.

Another stark contrast of what the Maysles brothers potrayed in their 1964 ‘The Beatles : The First U.S Visit’ and the one a couple of years after in the 1970 ‘Gimme Shelter’ about the hype being Rolling Stones.

‘Salesman’ sits in the middle in between those two films like a dark intermission between bands in a rock concert.

Like what the poster is showing, an angelic figure carrying two briefcases. The monetization of faith by those who wage wars. Hypocrasy.