L'absence

Bea says: The second of two films seen in Paris (on route to North Eastern France), we saw this at the equivalent of London's National Film Theatre (i.e. arty films, earnest, and sometimes downright odd, clientele). We knew nothing about it at all, so it was a surprise to see Wim Wenders was involved, and as we are both keen on Wenders we usually know most of his stuff. We were also pleased to note Jeanne Moroeau, who has featured in this blog before, had a role. We (or at least I) was less pleasantly surprised to find the film was mostly in French, as I speak little French. However, suffice to say that I followed the plot without a problem! This film specialised in long, languid shots of the four protagonists walking through forests and mountains, ducking through surreal doorways - council estate type flats in the middle of a forest etc - making a simple meal in a log cabin, having a feast in an old winery, searching, and driving a bus, celebrating on a beach.... It was kind of religious (a leader and his disciples, in the wilderness, last supper, leader vanishes, others search but do not find him, and I guess instead find stronger faith or part of themselves. I think in fact it was beneficial not to understand the dialogue (what there was of it) as instead I just watched the story the visuals gave me. I quite enjoyed it, in a chilled out, different kind of way.
** 1/2

Cecil says: The worst film I have seen in years. I almost joined the steady trickle of people who left before the end, but stuck it out partly because I hate to miss the end of a story, even if I haven't got a clue what is going on.

Fantastic cast with two of my favourite actors of the 70s/80s in Jeanne Moreau and Bruno Ganz. But, oh my God, what was it all about? Reminded me of my first experience of a Robert Bresson film: slow, no apparent continuity, surreal to the point of ridicule and utterly, utterly boring. Bea reckoned there may have been some biblical references in it: last supper, days in the wilderness etc etc, but for an old atheist like me with a comprehensive education in Hull where religious education was to learn about other religions rather than Christianity, any biblical references were totally lost on me. Honestly, I had not got a clue. I hate surrealism at the best of times, but when it's combined with pompous soliloquy, it is a recipe for a dire Sunday afternoon.

Maybe my observations of the audience before the film started should have been a warning. 25 people there, but all sitting alone apart from Bea and me; utter silence in the room (probably no surprise given that they were all sitting on their own) - the silence felt weird, but actually, given the film's content, maybe it was a sign...But then again, since half of them left before the end, maybe they also didn't like the sign...

One thing I have to say about Paris, though: you can see far more varied films in a weekend than you can in London, and at only €9 each for 2 films, tremendous value. Bea and I walked back into the Bercy streets and mingled with the rowdy basketball final fans, all waving their flags and banners for Cholet, wherever that may be in France. A bizarre day...

A star rating??? I can't even give it half a star, sorry.