This is one of those movies I would always read about being completely bizarre and disturbing and years later when I watched the thing I saw that they weren't exaggerating. I appreciate the effort that went into making this but I can't really say I get any enjoyment out of it. Certainly a movie that deserves bringing up in any discussion of weird movies though.
In 2006 Merhige made a short sequel entitled "Din of Celestial Birds". It is available on youtube
Here's a quote from the director that encapsulates his approach
"Whatever happened to Search and Discovery in the arts of today? Artists must behave like archaeologists if the guts of visionary filmmaking can happen. They will have to return to the depths of the collective unknown to find out what we're all about. From that universal dream our most individual and forceful voices can emerge"
Yes this guy is really this pretentious, so while he is capable of creating some striking imagery I do not buy that his work is quite as meaningful as he thinks it is. Even in the commentary for the film Suspect Zero he directed he's talking like that movie is some kind of visionary exploration of our souls. In reality Suspect Zero is a pretty conventional thriller in a lot of ways making his pretentiousness stick out like a sore thumb.
I have his other feature movie "Shadow of the Vampire" in my collection but have yet to get around to seeing it. Does anybody have any opinions on this movie?