Avida starts with a picador who ends up in a suicide attempt. This episode is followed by that of a deaf-mute and two drug addicts that try to kidnap a female millionaire`s dog, but fail. Like a collage, the film continues to introduce various characters and elements: the good-hearted animal protector, an obsessive rich man, an elephant, Avida, an overweight girl that three men can barely move ? and repeated close-ups of a mouth eating something. Avida is the second film from Benoit Delepine and Gustave Kervern, who also star in the film ? as they did in their first film, Aaltra. Shot mostly in black and white and with minimal dialogue, it is not very easy to describe the film based on any known reality. This provocative film weaves together images that go far beyond any logic and all sense, and several shots that appear abruptly, out of nowhere, provide shocking yet hilarious moments. The film also pays homage to surrealism via its title, which recalls Salvador Dali, and the appearance of Fernando Arrabal as the picador. (Rhee Soue-won)