The Discipline of D.E.
"The Discipline of D.E." is a short 16mm film directed by Gus Van Sant. It’s based on a story in “Exterminator!” by William Burroughs that at times reads like Buddhist noir: "DE is a way of doing. DE simply means doing whatever you do in the easiest most relaxed way you can manage which is also the quickest and most efficient way, as you will find as you advance in DE. You can start right now tidying up your flat, moving furniture or books, washing dishes, making tea, sorting papers. Don't fumble, jerk, grab an object. Drop cool possessive fingers onto it like a gentle old cop making a soft arrest.”
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📋 Film Details
| Year | 1982 |
| Country | United States of America |
| Genre | Comedy, Drama |
| Director | Gus Van Sant |
| Runtime | 9 min. |
| Rating | TMDB: 5.9/10 (25 votes) |
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🎬 MovieFinder's Take
The film constructs a visual parable from Burroughs' text, relying on a series of hypnotic, measured actions to explore its core philosophy. It presents efficiency not as frantic hustle, but as a state of serene, focused flow, where every gesture becomes deliberate.
What lingers after viewing is a quiet curiosity to apply this 'discipline' to one's own mundane tasks, testing the border between productivity and meditation. — MovieFinder Editorial
Director: Gus Van Sant
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With a clear mind, free from distraction, to absorb its minimalist, zen-like rhythm.
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