Lacanian Theory: An Analysis of Dogtooth (2009) 

I think the cat functions as a symbol on multiple levels. Feminine power may be one, but cats are also known for being independent and going where they please. These latter traits are especially pronounced when compared to dogs, who obey their masters, live behind fences, and walk on leashes when they do venture out. I think the cat may also work on the level of outside influence infiltrating the compound: it represents the father's true lack of control over what his children encounter; he has to frame them as monsters because otherwise... If a harmless cat can safely walk around on the outside, does that not suggest that the outside is not as dangerous as the father tells the children? Bruce is the name of the shark in Jaws, and... Sharks live in the sea, which the children don't even know about; they're limited to the small pool. What's more, they constantly lose and replace their teeth. I also get the impression that there's some kind of Garden of Eden metaphor going on here: inside the compound is lush and almost violently green; the children are innocent because they have no real understanding of right and wrong, just rules to follow. They have no knowledge of anything, really, and are denied the right to make decisions based on that knowledge.

Best analysis of Dogtooth i've watched. Thank you. Please make more movie review videos like this.

I didn't catch the eldest sister facing away from the mirror vs her final transition facing the mirror. Thanks for connecting that!

This analysis fits PERFECTLY with the movie message! You should do more videos like this.

Quite a well structured essay! My only feedback is a lack of exploration into the shifting of sexual outlet of the son to the eldest sister, which could be a reflection of trying to subvert the eldest/Bruce's growing independence with sexual submission/control. Something that is subverted with Bruce's quote at the end of the horrifying event. I hope you continue to work on your video essays and continue to review subversive and layered films like this one!

I'd watched the movie e just finished your video. Came here to get better understanding of the movie and ended up learning a bit about Freud and Lacan. Awesome video!!

I’d love a prequel to find out what elements caused the father to become the way he is.

I just loved it. I watched the film yesterday and was feeling very curious about another perspective. I would never thought about the mirror thing or Laconian theory on this. Also, I'm not a native english speaker, but you have explained so well and clearly that makes me understand everything. Thanks.

If you had more movie analysis of this sort im sure you would have a good following! Thanks for the video.

While i was watching i knew that something is related to lacan. Before that I watched the movie called "raw" and i was expecting something like this when i decided to watch the movie and you know what this is even better. Thanks for sharing this video, it was such a good analysis. Especially the parts with mirrors fascinated me i mean when she turns her back and when she smiles to the mirror. I really enjoy watching movies with psychoanalytic methaphors aaaaand this was such a good one. Again thanks for sharing! 🌞

I came here for the analysis but now i am stuck looking at that cigar 0:30

im seeing this now and not yesterday

I will watch this ‘Dogtooth’ you speak of. Your analysis is intriguing.

Awesome review and explaination, just wandering why you do not have more

Bruh this shit is hot. Incredible analysis, really well presented. Every cinema lover needs a friend like this to discuss and learn with.

/ləˈkɑːn/

Talk about Allegory of the Cave by Plato too

You should upload waaaay more videos! great video tho, thank you for sharing

Lacanian Theory is not only hard because of the mathematics and so on but it is really hard to actually read it and understand it because of the contents I don't know how to put it but lacanian psychoanalysis is hard to even face you know and I understood that if you don't completely understand it even could lead to paranoia , so it's really hard to even face it , and the other bad thing I think about Freudian and lacanian psychoanalysis is it can be a prison for own's mind , but at the same time it could be really useful specially when philosophy it self couldn't completely give us the answer. and really thanx for uploading this video I personally really love to know what alternative felix guattari and Gilles Deleuze gave us in matter of psychology

Great! Thanks for sharing, greetings from Perú.

this is a really good video, you have a great way of articulating & communicating things in a way that makes things understandable, i probably wouldve just brushed this movie off as another weird niche thing without your insightful video :-)

“lacone”

Hey! Amazing video and very well explained. Have you listened to Phylosophize This! Podcast? Check it out. If you were to date that guy you two would have the best conversations! (Pls record them, I would definitely listen to them)

I just watched this movie and really wanted to find other people's thoughts on it. Your analysis was so interesting and gave me even more to think about!!

In addition to issues of psychosis and paranoia, the question that I wonder about is how this film squares with the taboos on homosexuality and incest?

Woaaah the connection of the mirror stage to the pre and post Bruce scenes blew my mind. Love this analysis.

Excellent video, great analysis. Very much appreciated the psychological analysis you offered as well. Bravo

Are you doing more videos.

Yes, I knew that.

09:02 lmao

Did bruce died at the end ?

OMG. I've just watched the movie and had a lot of questions, but you answered all of them. Also learned a lot! This video was so informative, I feel like my brain got bigger. Thank you! Please do more videos like this!

New video soon??

Brilliant and insightful explainer. Love the movie and Yorgo’s work overall

Ever seen a video(you tube) of a cat or a dog looking at themself in a mirror...they actually jump at the reflection or run away from it. Yes, we(humans) are allso animals. Don't for get this plz.

I fuck with this

excellent video!

Hey, thank you for this : )

Can anyone help explain the Imaginary in Lars and the Real Girl?

Why did you stop making videos. You are brilliant!

who is you? btw nice video.

you re so smart!

Yes, but who's this LaCone, and why does his thinking resemble that of Lacan?

woww i love you

La-cone-ian? La-cone? Who the hell is that!!??

i just can't bare going through the video; it's mirror not meyur

After watching Dogtooth this evening, I decided to pop over to youtube to find some interesting discussion, mostly around the themes explored within the film. I thoroughly enjoyed this video, I've not had such a motivation to read Lacan since finishing my undergraduate degree in Philosophy. Keep up the great work!

Just imagine if this video was coupled with a nice lighting set up and possibly some graphics. Would take this channel very far.

Hey really great video. Big like. Just one point of feedback - your pronounciation of the name Lacan is pretty off..