On this week’s episode of Reel Analysis, your hosts Luke and Charles dive into Jean Rollin’s Lost in New York. The film follows the journey of two young girls who are transported to New York City as children, through a doll they call the Moon Goddess. Throughout the film, the girls search for each other through the streets and alleyways of New York City, encountering strange characters as they struggle to reunite. Like many of Rollin’s films, Lost in New York takes a surrealistic form, with a plot structure and chronology that are difficult to follow. The film trades clarity and tangibility in narrative for atmosphere and feel, allowing viewers to arrive at their own understanding.
In the episode, your hosts break down what makes Rollin’s work so unique, unpacking his background as a director and the unexpected circumstances under which Lost in New York was created. Luke and Charles then explore the narrative of the film, highlighting how the disorientation that Rollin creates shapes the viewer’s experience. Following this, the hosts share their thoughts on the film’s most compelling ideas, from its distinctly dreamlike portrayal of New York to its commentary on the American Dream.
If you’re a Jean Rollin fan, love surrealist film, or are simply curious to learn more about a film that defies convention, this episode is for you. Luke and Charles don’t just summarize the film, but they explore how it feels and bring it into conversation with broader ideas about America. Give it a listen and leave your thoughts down below!
