6 Desires: DH Lawrence and Sardinia

6 Desires: DH Lawrence and Sardinia is a visually compelling and intellectual documentary film that was released in 2014. This rare breed of cinematic exploration is directed by Mark Cousins, who is popular for his unusual and imaginative approach to film narration, typically accompanied by distinctive voiceovers that are both engaging and self-consciously artistic. Cousins takes a step back though, and instead, in this film, viewers are largely guided through the narrative by the enigmatic voice of Jarvis Cocker, the lead singer of Pulp, an iconic British band from the 90s. Alongside Cocker, the film also features Cousins himself and the visual artist Gill Moreton.

6 Desires is an imaginative reconsideration and almost a reproduction of the month-long journey English writer D.H. Lawrence undertook in 1921 to the Mediterranean island of Sardinia. The result is a thought-provoking look at not just Lawrence's perspectives but also at how we interpret and interact with new environments ourselves. In many ways, this is a love letter to Sardinia as well as to Lawrence himself, rendered through the lens of Cousins' own admiration.

The narrative of this film is built around the travelogue Lawrence wrote of his trip, 'Sea and Sardinia', using the text as a backbone to explore both the sights and culture of this beautiful island and the mind of one of the 20th century’s most influential authors. It probes into Lawrence’s deep connection and fascination with this relatively unknown territory and scrutinizes how the place influenced his literary genius.

Throughout the film, the voice of Cocker charmingly narrates extracts from Lawrence's writing about the island, its people, its cultures and traditions. Cousins’ own interpretative voice is also present, offering an additional layer of reflection and commentary. The result is a multiple angled view of not just Sardinia, but also of how we experience different lands, cultures, and traditions.

6 Desires: DH Lawrence and Sardinia is one of those rare films that uses its visuals to create a dialogue with its audience. Each frame breathes life into Lawrence’s descriptive writings, encouraging viewers to not just see Sardinia through Lawrence’s eyes but to immerse themselves into his thought process, learning and understanding the way he perceives the world. The cinematography of the film is stunning, showing the rugged untamed beauty of Sardinia. By using the still images shot by Gill Moreton, the audience is invited to pause and reflect on the landscapes and the people of Sardinia, creating a beautiful synergy between the visual and the spoken words.

This film invites the viewers on a journey along with Lawrence – historical, personal, and geographical. While historical in the sense that it revisits the author's 1921 sojourn, it is personal in the sense of offering a keen insight into Lawrence's psyche. Geographically, it explores Sardinia in a manner that strays from the typical touristic approach, subtly reminding us that every place we visit holds a myriad of unique stories and interpretations.

More than depicting the physical journey, 6 Desires: DH Lawrence and Sardinia gets under the skin of Lawrence’s unique perception of his journey. The film skillfully intertwines Lawrence’s words, Cousins’ reflections, and Cocker's renditions, resulting in an experiment that merges literature, cinema, and travelogue into one resonating creation.

This is a film for those who enjoy cerebral cinema, requiring engagement with the material on a deeper level. From the sparkling Mediterranean sea, the cobblestone villages, to glimpses of the locals going about their lives, the audience is privy to both the beauty of Sardinia's landscape and the internal ruminations of Lawrence. The blend of history, literature, and art is skillfully interlaced, creating an intimate portrait of both Lawrence and Sardinia. Thus, this slow, but mesmerizing film is more of an interactive intellectual discourse with its viewers than a passive form of entertainment.

To sum up, 6 Desires: DH Lawrence and Sardinia is a deeply pensive and captivating film that offers an off-beaten path to explore a beloved English author and an awe-inspiring Mediterranean island. It delves into the psyche of D.H. Lawrence, revealing his bond with Sardinia, while examining the relationship between humans and their environment. This film will most certainly enchant those with an appreciation for insightful narratives, rich imagery, and the undeniable allure of exploratory travel.