Robert Bresson’s rigorous examinations of the human condition, invariably enacted by non-professionals, reached a kind of apotheosis in 1966 with this Venice prize-winning film about the birth, life and death of a donkey. The simplicity of the theme disguises a profound meditation on man’s inhumanity to man – and to animals. Can a donkey be presented as a saintly figure? In Bresson’s austere world, he can.
PG. Mild themes and violence.
David Stratton
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view trailer |
view interview with Bresson |
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USEFUL LINKS & RESOURCES
The Criterion Collection http://www.criterion.com/current/posts/370-au-hasard-balthazar
The 'hands of Bresson' http://www.criterion.com/current/posts/3196-hands-of-bresson
British Film Institute http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6a44b82c
British Film Institute http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6a44b82c
AFTRS Library |
This is Barbara Grummels' personal blog, created in enthusiastic response to these free screenings at AFTRS.
We have been deprived of a cinemateque in this 'city of film' for so long. These films don't fill the void but are a most welcome move in the right direction (...it's not an official AFTRS blog).