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Post by The Question on Jul 21, 2008 5:00:01 GMT -5
I saw this for the first time recently and was struck with just how damned good it is. It's got a plot which ticks like a Swiss watch, manages to be poetic and almost fairytale-like at times, but then the understatement is sometimes punctuated with a moment of brief graphic (for its time) visuals that are all the more forceful because they're not being run into the ground (something which I think went on to influence John Carpenter when he made Halloween as much as the imagery of the plain white mask, which here is haunting in its pale, textureless, ghostlike quality and also oddly sensual, like a sculpture). Thematically, it fits in with Gothic French literature classics like The Man Who Laughs, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Phantom of the Opera, but there's a lot to be said about it today, in the world we live in where looks are everything and people are willing to go to all manner of lengths to be "beautiful". But it doesn't sermonise or sit back on the old chestnut of inner-beauty, and what's also great is that all of the main players are morally complex and layered, their motivations aren't one-dimensional. Doctor GĂ©nessier isn't a mad scientist type and though his actions are horrific, you constantly see different sides to what's driving him - love, vanity/pride, guilt, anger, regret. What's your opinion on this film? (Oh, and you can also see how it influenced some of Jess Franco's movies...could you imagine how it might have been had he directed it? )
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Post by soucriant on Jul 21, 2008 11:02:05 GMT -5
I watched this last night, and it really is beautifully subtle. What struck me most was the complexity of the three main characters. When we first meet Professor Genessier, he doesn't seem like a grief-stricken father, but comes across as very aloof. When, of course we discover his intentions, that's when it becomes complicated and engrossing.
The mask needs a mention, of course. It's haunting, yet makes Christiane look almost angelic. In fact, my favourite scenes are simply where Christiane is sneaking around the house in a ghostlike way, looking like she was made of glass. There are some really striking images in this film.
I watched Eraserhead (first time) afterwards, which blew me away. So I don't think that I reflected on Yeux Sans Visage as much as I could have, until today.
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Post by The Question on Jul 21, 2008 20:22:33 GMT -5
Well put, soucriant, fits in line with my own thoughts perfectly, especially on the image of the mask. Would love to hear your thoughts on Eraserhead, btw.
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Post by In the Mouth of Shattered on Jul 22, 2008 16:52:01 GMT -5
I think "poetic" is the perfect word to use for the film. I call it 'the epitome of visual poetry.' It's beautiful in every sense of the word. One of the most amazing films ever made and in my top ten.
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Post by obscure437 on Jul 22, 2008 18:45:17 GMT -5
Frankly, I was disappointed. It has everything I look for in a horror film, but it didn't hold together for me. But I'm a teenager so it needed more hyper editing, shaky cam and a hip hop/indie hits soundtrack.
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