Change Your Image
marc depreter
Reviews
Des hommes et des dieux (2010)
a meticulous description of religious decision making
This semi-documentary based of true historical facts, tries to recreate the state of mind of catholic monks. They know the consequences of their choice : if they stay in their monastery they will be killed by terrorists; if they return to France they can save their lives. In the beginning three of the seven monks want to survive, and want lo leave. At the end of the film they unanimously choose to stay. Why ? Decision making is all what the film is about. So this is a psychological film. It is hardly fiction. We see them praying, singing, working, eating. Behaviour determines conviction. Rituals, psalm singing, silence, charity create and harden the monks belief. Their merciful God is the product of their way of live, and that God is the warrant of their decision. The decision of self destruction. A great example of religious horror, the catholic version of religious suicide. Brilliant social cinema.
Le boucher (1970)
translation of deep human insight into cinema
The young Chabrol introduces the viewer into the daily life of the female school teacher that becomes us : so we gently search for affection and empathy, we discover the gentleness of a mute character and beyond the horror is waiting. Or is it the gentleness that lies beyond horror?
La course de l'escargot (1998)
un unemployed man finds work and happiness in the countryside
the right environment - la France profonde - and the right encounter -Margot - slowly change the caracter and the self estime of an unhappy unemployed city worker. Camera is technically well guided, - nice landscape views - but the rhythm of the picture is to slow.Unknown actors help to accept the credibility of this story.