|
|
|
Sous le soleil de Satan
1987 Drama
| |
Credits
-
Director: Maurice Pialat
-
Script: Sylvie Danton, Maurice Pialat, based on a novel by Georges Bernanos
-
Photo: Willy Kurant
-
Music: Henri Dutilleux
-
Cast: Gérard Depardieu (Donissan),
Sandrine Bonnaire (Mouchette),
Maurice Pialat (Menou-Segrais),
Alain Artur (Cadignan),
Yann Dedet (Gallet),
Brigitte Legendre (Mouchette's Mother),
Jean-Claude Bourlat (Malorthy),
Jean-Christophe Bouvet (Horse Dealer),
Philippe Pallut (Quarryman),
Marcel Anselin (Bishop Gerbier),
Yvette Lavogez (Marthe),
Pierre D'Hoffelize (Havret),
Corinne Bourdon (Child's Mother),
Thierry Der'ven (Sabroux),
Marie-Antoinette Lorge (Estelle),
Bernard De Gouy (M. de Vamin),
Yolene De Gouy (Mme de Vanin),
Thierry Artur (Priest),
Raymonde Jacquot (Parishioner),
Frédéric Auburtin (Young Priest),
Edith Colnel (Mme Lambelin)
-
Country: France
-
Language: French
-
Runtime: 93 min
-
Aka: Under Satan's Sun; Under the Sun of Satan
|
|
|
|
| |
Summary
1926, in a rural French village. An inexperienced Catholic priest, Donissan, has
doubts about his suitability for the priesthood. He encounters Mouchette, a 16 year
old girl who has recently murdered the marquis de Cadignan, one of her illicit lovers.
Donissan sees the Devil in Mouchette and taunts the young girl, who soon after kills herself.
It is the first step in Donissan’s painful journey towards grace...
Review
Winner of the coveted Palme d’or at the 1987 Cannes film festival, Sous le soleil de
satan is a film which, much like its director, Maurice Pialat, continues to arouse
controversy and divide the critics. Some regard the film as a masterpiece, an intensely
spiritual film which tackles the complex themes of religious belief, redemption and divinity
with remarkable lucidity and power. Many others, however, take a different view,
some dismissing it as emotionless, contrived and lacking both conviction and interest
value.
It is certainly a very difficult film to sit through. The film is heavy in dialogue,
most of which consists of philosophical discussions which are quite difficult to follow.
As a result, the film lacks humanity and, to many, will appear pretentious, lumbering
and unforgivably introspective. For others, the intelligent dialogue will be spell-binding,
particularly as it is accompanied by some fine performances, most notably from Depardieu
and Bonnaire.
The film’s most memorable feature is the extraordinary photography, particularly the location
scenes shot in rural France. The raw barrenness of the setting provides an appropriate
backdrop against which to set the inner torment of a priest searching to find meaning
in his ministry. Here at least the film displays an undeniable touch of genius.
© James Travers 2001
|
|
Buy this film:
|
|
|
|
