Making story of the eye a film? That's pretty hardcore. Like actually hardcore. Like more hardcore than most hardcore adult films!

If you haven't already a filmed or written an explanation on what happened to this project, I would love a video which outlines what happened to this screenplay. In an interview you did with Justin Odisho, you said this project was a giant colossal failure but a hell of a ride at the same time. I'd love to know more!

Nothing can motivate me to read books like you can. Your reviews just captivate me. Thank you.

I was searching documentaries about Bataille for my thesis, and just find out someone who understands, finally, what I'm thinking for years about this man. Thank you for this video.

the review starts at 09:03

You got Christopher Doyle on board! That's insane. Good luck on the film and I would love to see it.

I both received and finished my copy of Story of the Eye today and I’ll admit for the first few pages I was skeptical, but soon I realized what I was dealing with, around the time of the Orgy. Much like innocent young Marcelle I felt like I had been driven mad once my brain put the pieces together in the following chapters. In so many things for the rest of the day and probably for the rest of my life now I can’t help but see Bataille and I’m both amazed and disturbed by how easily chaotic debauchery and sexuality can pervade everything. It’s been a very long time since I’ve had a novel shake me in such a way. Thank you Sargent. Thank you for convincing me to read this and many other world shaking books. It took me a while after this review to convince myself to read it but I am glad I did.

I read The Story of the Eye last night and the requisite essays (in the Penguin edish), and spent the better part of the night trying to explain to my friend in the bar that sense of "whahhh?" between yes and no, and obscenity and regularity, and eggs and bloodshot balls and toilets and moons. I'm not sure I understand, but I went to bed last night sure I was finished, and woke this morning peeling back the pages for answers. I'm grateful for this limbo, and for you steering me here.

Your french accent is pretty good! (as a French, my English sucks and I hope you will understand what I say below) I do research on Georges Bataille's Madame Edwarda and Story of the Eye at the french Unniversity and all you said in your video is true. When we read Bataille, we experience the freedom to feel something. the state of experimentation is a great part of Bataille's work. according to him, we have to try religion, eroticism (as an intellectual sex) and to feel ourself as human. here in France, we read him as Philosopher and Litterature, as you may know, we do a strict separation between these two discipline and because the erotiscism we don't read Bataille as much as we should. I hope people will read him, because he is all I think we need to read to feel litterature. He wrote an essay called litterature and evil: in fact litterature is the only discipline where you can study evil, and feel evil, and become a viewer of evil. you have to experiment evil to feel human. that's what we all do, and that's what make us close to the sacred.

Congrats on the 2 year anniversary! This is so incredible, your passion for the film and the book is so palpable that it's almost contagious (especially when you can't find the words so you resort to doing that frenzy motion with your hands). I finally ordered the book after a long time of waiting (no book store near me stocks it).. your thoughts on the Story of the Eye are communicated so eloquently and I really can't wait to revisit this video and fully engage with your ideas after I've read it. Best of luck with everything!

the reason I really loved your channel is that I feel we have a similar artistic sensibility, so I really take your recommendations seriously knowing that I will likewise love the book.

You have what it takes. The words that you spoke from 28:15-29:10 is something that, not only every filmmaker must understand, but also what every human must understand. Also Christopher Doyle is the perfect cinematographer for this film! Congrats man!

"I force myself to contradict myself so as to avoid conforming to my own taste." -Marcel Duchamp. I believe that this quote mirrors the physicality of Bataille's work. Just want to share the quote. I kind of view it as a mantra.

I love your passion. This is the best book review channel, by far.

I heard about this book in a goodreads review of another French book called Moravagine (heard it was similar to Journey to the End of the Night), which also mentioned The Torture Garden. And now I'm here lol I love all these surreal and dark French books, it's a particular flavor you can't find anywhere else. I hope you review Moravagine some day, man, it seems like a book you'd review. Also your passion is contagious!

I finished this roman today as a part of my french studies. And though I don't yet have the capacity to relate it to myself (in a sense) but rather as simplicity of practice, this vid definitely confirmed what I've read and then bound it to a sense I can relate to. Thanks for this!

I read that book in high school because I read an interview with bjork where she's names it as the book that saved her from thinking she was crazy

Just discovered your channel, for now the best book reviews I saw on KZfaq.

This is the most powerful video I've ever seen in the entirety of KZfaq, ever. I'm currently writing a 2-piece novella while researching for a literary theory I'm developing, or trying to, based on Deleuze's thought. This video alone made me reconsider at least half of my plans of work and methodologies, which are now reforming into including the thought of Bataille (whom Deleuze disagreed a lot). After reading Bataille and researching more into it, I found myself not a Deleuzian anymore, but someone that found some kind of glister, a new voice arising from a possible harmony between the two as my own, because, man, I tell you, your passion made me order books from and on Bataille. I hadn't known about Bataille before and I know about Deleuze (that is only about now becoming sort of a big figure). Your work with this video and with your movie is probably the most inspiring thing I've seen this year and I hope I can be part of it somehow too, even if by distant contributions. My novellas and meta-theoretical approach to literature will now include Bataille (because there are problems with posstmodern pragmatism, now I know) and I'll make sure to include at least one quote from this video in the finished thesis (not even caring if I have to change the entire argumentative form to quote KZfaq videos and add public web links in the bibliography). I'm subscribing to your Patreon and gomping on everything. I know I don't have to say this, but please never stop. It's passion like yours (and, if I can say this without being pretentious) and mine that help change de literary canon and plucks masterpieces out of the smashing obscurantism of their language, complex constructs behind the language or simply misunderstandings of a lazy readership. You just changed the course not only of my research but of my life, and I'm deeply grateful for this - and, following your traces, I want to do the same. You may expect a letter from me in the future, If I’m successful in my publications.

Love. I have been searching too long for this book during my book store travels and I've noticed it is not often carried...I may just have to make an online purchase. I really find your literary tastes to be immaculate. I really appreciate you and your videos. Thank you.

so glad youre reviewing this! this is the book that got me into books

That intro's pretty snazzy. Lovin' this channel's direction.

Happy two year anniversary

Finished Story of the Eye today. Wow. Powerful book. Havent excitedly sped through a book like this since The Old Man and the Sea. Going to have to re-read it. Thank you so much for keeping this novella in the light of day.

Hi! I've come across your channel recently as I've joined youtube with my own channel. I found you because you were reviewing House of Leaves which I like alot. One of a kind sort of book, isn't it? Now, on regards to The Story of the Eye, I have read it in about 3 hours after I watched more than half your video and realised I better read the book and come back afterwards to finish watching your review on it. Must say, while I was reading it, I was trying to imagine how are you going to make this movie. It's such a crazy, twisted story. I like Bataille's writing style. Twisted but well written. If you manage to find your 'Simone' to play the part, that's a great start. Bumpy road ahead but must be exciting. Good luck in your attempt!!

after hearing you review. I got the book, reading it now. excited for you and your adaptation of this book into film. great job! all my support! cannot wait to see your work.

I understand you. You showning me this book change my life. Thank you for doing this. Im an amateur surrealista writer/poet from Brazil and discovering George Bataille changed it all. THANK YOU

Great video. I started reading Bataille last year. Story of the Eye was the first book I read by Bataille and reading him changed me as a person and changed my life

Phenomenal Cliff, keep killing it. Stoked for you, my man.

congrats and good luck on the film! Christopher Doyle is amazing

I was actually interested of reading this book before seeing this, now I need to immediately read it as soon as I can!! LIMITS ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN!!!! Btw good luck with the film and make sure you put the fucking effort into bringing the book into life!!

I wish you nothing but the best of luck and please keep the world updated on this project.

Thanks for making me aware of George Bataille. I have not got around to reading him yet, as I am in the midst of a pretty full on reading list (Homer, Dante, Eco, Burroughs, The Egyptian Book Of The Dead amongst others) but I have looked into this man's work, and on first impressions, he might just have been a genius. Enjoy your channel too, cheers for the good reviews. You also got me investigating In Praise Of Shadows. And 2666. Your reviews may ultimately end up being responsible for raising my IQ a few points (which would not be a bad thing believe me).

I experienced that same sense of really *feeling* the thoughts of a thinker when reading Deleuze and Guattari’s “A Thousand Plateaus”. I’ve been itching to read Bataille, especially considering they mention him often, and I definitely will be doing so now. Thanks for the lucid thoughts :)

Two Years! Keep up the fantastic work man.

I needed to watch this review, especially since it's been so long that I have watched your genuinely thought-provoking and well-spoken reviews (my old account, neverwintermute, I remember when you started this channel!). After viewing this, I am absolutely inspired to keep writing my novel that I have been writing for over 6 years - but first, I must read this book, something I should've done a long time ago... especially since the book I am writing shares a common theme: what does it mean to be human? Seriously, you need to rename your channel to Better Than Therapy. It goes without saying, but I appreciate you taking the time out of your life to share your thoughts and passions with us. I know it's been nearly a year since this was published, but I wish you the best of luck on the film.

Ok, I haven't watched this video yet and I will definitely write another comment, but I must tell you how excited I am about this video since I had to read this book at the end of last year and write a dissertation on it. I got more than 90%. It was quite a disturbing read, I wouldn't say it's my favourite book (The Perfume is), but what I find interesting is that my male teacher, Jean-François Chénier, was also obsessed with this book. It was his favourite and he even wrote a whooole book dedicated to it called "Communiquer l'incommunicable: Une lecture des œuvres de Georges Bataille et de Pierre Klossowski" (Communicate the incommunicable: A read of the works of...). I would often think about you when he would speak. He's the French-Canadian version of you, actually. :P

Hey man, really been digging your reviews, I'm a fairly new subscriber. After watching this, I went to a little independent bookstore in town and asked for Story of the Eye, but they had just sold the only copy to someone 10 minutes earlier. They had Blue of Noon though, and I decided to get it. Man... MAN. Your descriptions are so apt. The amount of times I found myself thinking "Why does this make absolutely NO sense, and yet I think I 'get' it, but just can't articulate it". I see why no one graduates Bataille. Have you read Blue of Noon? Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for the sick videos dude, keep them coming =).

Keep doing you, bro. You've got this.

None of my philosophy-nerd friends have ever even heard of Bataille, and they all generally think I'm crazy when I try to explain it to them. It's cool to see someone else is so passionate about his works. I hope this is still in production. If I weren't just a lowly part-time dishwasher I would absolutely contribute.

Have you read any more Cioran? Have you read any Kierkegaard? Will you review any of their books?

Its 4 years later now hows it going with shooting the movie?

Lars Von Trier could make this film.

This dude is such an inspiration.. I'm here five years later but I'll bet he could write an interesting novella himself.

It's 3:18 AM and I've just been slapped in the face. That type of slap that puts your life into perspective when you've just about lost it. I've been falling into this unfortunate slump of absurd excuses and loss of motivation. This is exactly what I needed at the moment. Congratulations on the accomplishments thus far; I am excited to see the progression of the project transgress that of establish boundaries.

Happy 2 year anniversary Cliff!

well, thanks for recommending the book, good luck on your project dude!

Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita was such an experience for me. Society as a whole did this book so fkn dirty. It's so fascinating, the absolute grip and control Nabokov has on the concept of language in general and what it can do in this book and he's an absolute genius for writing the narrator the way he did simply BECAUSE of the squicky feelings that arise while reading. Recommend reading the prologue LAST however - I read it that way and it just made every single puzzle piece fall together so perfectly to me. Absolutely phenomenal, supremely dark and just overall an unbridled mindfuck in the absolute best/worst/most effective way I've ever come across.

Im waiting for this book to arrive in my mail . I just can't wait to read it even though i don't really know what it is about . First time i heard about it was in a song by a band called Of Montreal and it's called the past is a grotesque animal . I had no idea it was a book but thos lines just stuck with me . He sang "i fell in love with the first cute girl that i met that could appreciate georges bataille" and then he sang about discussing the story of the eye with the girl . I never searched for it . Then i found this channel and found out it was your favorite book so i never even watched this review because i don't want to know anything about this book . I just really want to read it . I live in Poland and this book was expensive as hell because it's just so rare but when i found it online i just had to buy it . I can't fucking wait to read ,i want this sooo bad .

The passion and inspiration you have for this thing. Awe inspiring and insane. Manifestations made real by your words and jokes and challenges of transformation and perversions. If I were to underline the essential adjectives of my comment here, they would be of the conceptual sort. All seen through the eye of philosophers, the writer, the poet, the director and most importantly the pervert.

SO EXCITING! This seems so legit. Have you seen any of Philippe Grandrieux's films? Probably the closest any filmmaker has come to channeling the spirit of Bataille, I think. The images from Sombre and La Vie Nouvelle are incredibly febrile. They never leave.

Gotta read it now, can't wait. hope the film is something you're currently working on, "Follow your bliss." Joseph Campbell.

I guess this book was featured in the movie called "Before Sunrise" where we first see Julia on a train reading. Was it the same one?

Your review is really enlightening. I am currently reading Bataille. Bataille , I think like other so called mad artists like Gauguin or van Gogh or many many others , is not understood by many. He needs to be read and reread to understand his purpose, his philosophy. He is a beautiful philosopher. Love Bataille.

the review we've been waiting for! I read the story of the eye because of your recommendation and loved it, and got death and sensuality on my desk to read. I am just a poor autodidact reader with nothing to offer, but I enjoy your videos very much and would be interested in any of your projects. the fucking cinemetographer of in the mood for love-like really? thats amazing-im hesitant to talk up my contemporaries, but go for it cliff! so awesome. I will only add that your relationship with bataille seems similar to my absolute obssesiom with Wittgenstein.

i just read this book a few days ago...... honestly astounding. i can't stop thinking about it. you expressed very well what i haven't been able to in your review. congrats on the film as well! i have high hopes for you, and would love to contribute in some way. where are you planning to film?

Really nice review as always! You should check the band Deathspell Omega, a french avant-garde black metal band. Their lyrics often refers to Bataille's work. Check out "Fas - Ite, Maledicti, In Ignem Aeternum".

You should somehow get Elias Bender Ronnenfelt from Iceage and Marching Church to get on board with this somehow. If I remember correctly you seem to be familiar with those guys and the whole Copenhagen scene over there. Elias is also a big fan of Bataille by the way, it'd be pretty cool. But yeah this is totally awesome, coming from a fan of Bataille and Doyle I'm really looking foward to this. Cheers

Hey what an appropriate (and bad ass) shirt for this review! Love your stuff, love Bataille, thank you!

This is beyond fantastic and it hits me fucking hard so thank for the introduction. I have no time. It will definitely be a birthday gift to myself. By the way, I was born on All Souls Day, so I'll definitely re-watch the Under the Volcano review. I never leave for school without Under the Volcano in my bag. I hope I'll never leave for school without Story of the Eye in my bag by next week.

Great review and great project!!! I literally ADORE Georges Bataille as he's one of my favorite writers too and my favorite philosopher. So true what you said about his philosophy being one, which can (and must) be felt! I came across Bataille when writing my Master thesis on Andrzej Zulawski and looking for theories on ecstasy and excess. I wish you good luck that you can find the financing for your adapation as soon as possible. An with Christopher Doyle behind the camere - wow, just wow! There have been two attempts to adapt "Story of the Eye" by the way, but both extremely unsatisfactory. But with you as director I have hight hopes! Keep on like your doing!! PS: Just one recommendation for a book that is written in a similar vein although completey different at the same time: "Night of Lead" by Hanns Henny Jahnn - I bet you'll love it.

I didn’t get much out of this book at all. I like your passion for it. I will read it again now to see if I can “get it.”

Hey . What happened with the movie ? 4years later ?

Oh my god I can't believe you got Christopher Doyle involved!! That's fucking amazing!! Best of luck for the project, and congratulations with the channel :)

Love this book. When I was a teen I read an interview with Bjork. She said it was her favorite book. I read it. Then reread it then ever couple of years reread it again.

Christopher Doyle???? I really hope you get to make this!!! How did you find him???

Just goofing around with something related to this book based on you saying it’s your fav - at least 7 years ago. And I bumped into references to a 2004 film by Andrew Repasky McElhinney. Really enjoy your channel!🙏

New to the channel, and the video is still currently playing but I had to say: every so often I revisit Story of the Eye and find myself getting lost in internet search results where I end up finding great content! (This video included.) If you or anyone reading this isn’t familiar with the work of Suehiro Maruo, I highly recommend it! He’s a manga artist that has referenced Story of the Eye a number of times, but most prominently in his “Ultra Gash Inferno”. :) Also, I realize it’s been a few years since this video was posted but I do still hope the film gets made! If Lars Von Trier can put out something like “Nymphomaniac”, which was utterly brilliant imo, you can certainly adapt Georges’ book into a film! Cheers xx

wish you all the best my man!

Have you read The Serpent and the Lily by Nikos Kazantzakis?

Have you ever heard of Momus? My sister discovered Momus on Halloween. She listened to Hippopotamomus. Momus has been described as the "David Bowie of the art pop underground". She really likes the track "Bluestocking", which mentions "Story of The Eye", because she's read most of the texts mentioned.

I like your style. Keep up the good work.

I really like that you say TSOTE isn't about eroticism. It's about an attempt for the infinite. It's Icarus flying into the sun. And yes, at it's core it's a love story. What other book besides The Catcher in the Rye manages to so accurately depict the raging hormones of teenage love, lust and desire?

Have you read Nick Land's work on Bataille?

I keep coming back to this review for 17:41 because that's as honest as it gets when reading this book.

Finally reviewed it.

Would you shoot it on 35mm film? And would you translate it to French? The film being spoken in French? I'm very interested and impressed by your desire to make this into a feature film. It's amazing. I haven't read the book, but now, because of you, I will be reading it as soon as possible. Funny that I found out about you over your review of Tarkovsky's, "Sculpting in Time".

How do you feel that it's now in the public domain

Have you read Land's "The Thirst for Annihilation: Georges Bataille and Virulent Nihilism"?

Holy fucking shit you're amazing at pitching, I'm def reading that one next. BTW I'm looking for an update on your project to adapt it. Do you think a short film would be a good way to promote it? Like a super indie no budget type thing. It sounds like something doable, single location, couple actors. That's what I did to make my 1st film. Good luck!

That would be a Gaspard noe type of film

Hi what about bareback? Because my favorite book is Nausea

I think what Bataille expresses, is an absolute actualization of A PASSION within any given context, regardless of the overall "meaning of" ONE'S PASSION, and the relationship between ABSOLUTE EXPERIENCE and the actualization felt in relation to the END OF ONE'S TOTAL EXPERIENCE (that is, EXPERIENCE transcends "YOU"). Therefore, whatever "meaning" is ascribed to one - both of which relate to an absolutism within all personal experience (BEING) and total end of that absolute (ONE'S DEATH). If anyone has ever "clung to life" like I have (not in a sexual context- serious disease as a kid), Bataille's principles, and their implications are directly relatable - which is not to say I revel in death itself. I know what it's like to "see THE end" and LIVE (that is, NOT DIE) in a way that wasn't "OF MY OWN SELF". however, lucidly I "personally" recall it... Cool stuff, love a lot of the books you review (you're the one who turned me on to Bataille btw. :) prolly went full tard a min ago.... Aww Dem dems dun is dun replace dis shit like eleventy-five times. Hmu man :).

3 years on, how is this going?

sounds exciting, how's it going?

I always knew you were a film buff and I like your passion for this project. I'm a german filmmaker and I got most of my technical education in Paris. Also, I got some very small acting chops to my still non-existent name. So maybe we can get together one way or another. I'll pm you in the morning, cause I still got some work to do.

"Le Bleu du ciel"- I don't know english translation of this title.. but, this is my favorite of Bataille's novels. Happy Easter from Poland!

Thanks for your passion :)

Whoa! This book genuinely left me feeling a little bit queasy.

This is awesome video, I hope your film is a success. I haven’t read this book yet, but I just sent an email with book recommendations based on the fact that you love Bataille. Hope to hear back from you

Where can I get that shirt?

Where can I get in touch with you? I'd like to audition for the part of the Narrator

"Story of the Eye" was already made into a film in 2003. It was directed by Andrew Repasky and McElhinney and it stars Melissa Elizabeth Forgione.

Yeah Powell's! I go there every single week!

Great review, man! So are you still looking for someone to act in this movie? I'm a professional actor about to be signed with John Casablanca's Modeling and Acting and I wouldn't mind auditioning for this film. Is there somewhere I could reach you at so we could have a serious conversation about this? I'd be honored to help you with this

I've read story of the eye and this young man's idea of adapting it to film is nove.

How does Bataille's Blue of Noon hold up compared to Story of the Eye?

Is that just lemon water ?

Where on earth did you get an Acephale shirt? Amazing.

Awesome review, you should review his other novellas, My Mother, Blue of noon, L'Abbe C