February 28 Cinema's Compassionate Gaze - 7.00pm
Au Hasard, Balthazar
(Robert Bresson) 1966 France 95 mins
Bresson's blunt & compassionate chronicle of the birth, life & death of a donkey is a Christian parable that never eschews its gaze on an apparently godless world that is hard on little things. In the final, beautiful but deathly moments this beast of burden finally achieves transcendence. One of the director's greatest works, with Anne Wiazemsky & wonderfully precise cinematography by Ghislain Cloquet.
Articles from CTEQ Annotations on Film:
Relevant Articles from Senses of Cinema:
Au Hasard Balthazar and Mouchette - Bill Mousoulis
Great Directors Critical Database: Robert Bresson - Alan Pavelin
The Narrative Cracks: Emotion in Robert Bresson - Bill Mousoulis
February 28 Cinema's Compassionate Gaze - 8:45 pm
The Gospel According to Matthew
(Pier Paolo Pasolini) 1964 Italy 142 mins
Avowed Marxist-atheist Pasolini crafts a faithful & compelling Passion play, once described as the most unexpected film of all-time. Using non-professional actors (including his mother as Mary) & calling on the codes of cinéma vérité, Pasolini blends the music of Prokofiev & Odetta to produce one of cinema's few genuinely affecting & most influential (Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ) Biblical adaptations. With Enrique Irazoqui as Jesus, & ravishing cinematography by Tonino Delli Colli.
Articles from CTEQ Annotations on Film:
Relevant Articles from Senses of Cinema:
"Great Directors Critical Database: Pier Paolo Pasolini" - Gino Moliterno