A Journey into the Mystical World and Hidden Powers of the Feminine

A Review of the Film Dear Lilith, I Love You (Sweet Dreams)

In the realm of short films, the filmmaker enjoys a vast expanse of freedom to explore their chosen themes through diverse tools and execution methods. David Cole utilizes animation, motion graphics, hybrid live-action/animation, motion capture, and stop-motion to enrich the imaginative and fantastical dimensions of his work. By wielding these tools, the filmmaker creates what is fundamentally essential to him, unburdened by boundaries. In his experimental animation, Cole does exactly this; by casting aside limitations, he moves toward what we define as creative freedom. This freedom is a cornerstone of authentic and impactful art, without which creativity is reduced to repetition, censorship, or imitation, failing to reach the depths of the human soul or challenge society.

The Power of Imagination and Theme

By weaving together various images of women through animated techniques, Cole achieves a level of imagination that serves as the film’s greatest strength. Such potent imagination allows the artist to transcend reality—much like Dalí’s surrealism or the dreamscapes of Studio Ghibli—transforming reality to embody deep emotions.

The central theme of Dear Lilith, I Love You (Sweet Dreams) is the creation of a visual equivalent for the prominent characteristics of powerful women. The filmmaker invites the audience on a journey to discover the multifaceted dimensions of the female soul, demonstrating that these traits exist not only in famous historical figures but in all women, provided one has the eyes to see them. Notably, the film’s humanistic core is so distinct from the shifts of modern feminist movements that it maintains a clear, perceptible independence.

Symbolic Strength and "Noble Malice"

The animation opens with a woman battling a lion—a symbolic start targeting a key female attribute: physical strength in the face of life’s great perils. However, Cole subsequently moves toward symbols of "female malice." Upon closer inspection, we realize the filmmaker is focusing on themes famously noted by Nietzsche:

• In Beyond Good and Evil, Nietzsche describes women as more intelligent and "evil" than men, intended as a form of praise.

  
  

• He views the use of language and deception for the sake of appearance and beauty as a natural—and even superior—trait.

  
  

• The concept of "Noble Malice" refers to a cleverness that serves the "good" rather than being driven by ignorance.

  
  

In this context, the "good" refers to a woman's ability to defend herself, maintain independence, and express her true self. In cinema, this is often depicted as a means of survival and triumph within a patriarchal world.

Resilience, Eroticism, and Mythology

The film presents women from diverse backgrounds—from religious and ecclesiastical settings to the world of superheroes—as icons of power. Their resilience and endurance within limitations is highlighted as an active, creative force rather than a passive reaction. Cole illustrates that this historical role of resilience is a universal phenomenon.

Furthermore, the film explores women as erotic archetypes. While eroticism has historically been represented through a male-controlled lens that treats women as objects, Cole shifts this paradigm. In this work:

• Women possess their sexual beauty actively and autonomously.

  
  

• Eroticism is celebrated for its own sake, rather than as a "showcase" for male pleasure.

  
  

• Sexual appeal is reclaimed as a tool of power, social critique, or political agency, much like Cleopatra’s historical influence.

  
  

The filmmaker also integrates mythological figures like Kali, the powerful manifestation of the Mother Goddess in Hinduism. Kali symbolizes the destruction required for new creation, liberation from illusion, and the protection of her children from evil. By placing figures like Kali alongside modern characters like Superwoman and everyday women, Cole suggests that the greatness of the female spirit knows no boundaries—there is no distinction between the mythical and the mundane.

Technical Mastery

The animation is flawlessly complemented by its soundtrack, featuring three tracks:

1. Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics

2. As Above, So Below by In This Moment

3. Maleficent by Halocene

These pieces function effectively to support the film's exploration of will, power, and beauty. Ultimately, Dear Lilith, I Love You (Sweet Dreams) moves gracefully between the various degrees of its central theme, successfully uncovering the profound dimensions of the feminine essence.