The Door of the Law

A parable within a parable.

Finalist in the 2005 Akira Kurosawa Memorial Short Film Festival in Tokyo.

Based on the written works of Robert Anton Wilson and an English translation of the short story "Before the Law," featured in the novel The Trial by Franz Kafka.

The film was shot entirely on locations and stages in the 5 boroughs.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Robert
• Anton
• Wilson
• Kafka
• Door
• Law
• Scholar
• Garden
• Kanji
• Quantum
• Psych
• Psychology
• Self
• Referential
• Koan
• Zen
• Sutras

[SCORNDOGGMELACH]

I could accept this adaptation if they didnt neglect a key factor. It was written that the man asks for admission from the start. He doesnt just try to walk in. Asking admitance was the first mistake. Asking. He always had access, but his fear of unworthiness provokes the keeper to block his path. It is just. Poor poor fool.

[jackhalfaprayer]

@SCORNDOGGMELACH

Thank you for your words. A very astute observation, but I don't think it's enough of a mistake to negate the Kafka, nor to lose the relevance of the koan. The thing is not interpreted in the finite or the temporal, not in terms of concepts- therefore a simple framework of order or discipline is not required for the current to flow down the wire. A need to rush into the door is just as often a pitfall as the need to submit to something that is without.

[wongsonny]

hey nice film, i have one question: how do you convert film onto mini dv? thanks

[jackhalfaprayer]

Thanks! You need to take the film to a lab for telecine services.

[RoastBrain31]

I think it can probably be interpreted different ways but... I think The Law is constraint upon freedom, one cannot have the freedom to enter the door without first disregarding The Law. In society if we disregard The Law we face the consequences, the more we do so, the more severe the consequences: these are the more fierce guards we must face if we trully desire to be free. It is our personal choice however how we regard The Law, and it can never be anyone elses if you wish to be free.

[formless777]

Try less hard. The superficial answer isn't superficial.

[Bambootay]

The door to knowledge, the door to an answer, the door to god, the door for judgement cant be reached by asking, but only by entering.

[cujo76]

@RoastBrain31 THE DOOR TO THE LAW CAN MEAN ANYTHING.......THE DOOR TO LOVE THE DOOR TO FREEDOM......ETC

THE CONCLUSION IS THAT THERE ARE NO ABSOLUTES......

ONE CAN NEVER REACH THAT PRAIRE....

[jackhalfaprayer]

@RoastBrain31

This is one interpretation. The Zen koan built into the story is meant to parallel the original koan "Who is the one that makes the grass green?" In the context of Kafka, the Law (not necessarily legislation, but bureaucracy and government necessary to keep order) inhibits the growth of soul that questions it. More important than the Law itself even is the question. In the context of R.A. Wilson's Simon Moon parable, perception is the Law. We are walking nervous systems.

[Matt0u812]

The meaning is deeper once we have read the doorkeeper by kafka... it's only a page long... google it

[snapcase55]

this is a fantastic film. thanks for posting!

[wooderson316]

I've been puzzling over this, and I can't come to a conclusion.