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French director Robert Bresson is one of the most respected film masters of the European cinema. A master who truly brought out the essence of ultimate minimalism, Bresson's works are sources of inspiration to many contemporary important directors including Jean-Luc Godard, who in the closing scene of his recent film "In Praise of Love", pays homage to the master by having the lead role to read out the brief notes from Bresson's "Notes on the Cinematography".
Ten representative titles including Bresson's debut "The Angels of the Sin", "Pickpocket", "A Man Escaped", and his last work "Money" will be showcased from November 15 to 17 and 22 to 24 at the Hong Kong Film Archive Cinema.
Presented by the Film Programmes Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "Robert Bresson - Transcendental Style" is the fifth series of retrospective film programme "Repertory Cinema - A Spectrum of Film Classics and Masters". Curated by Mr Law Wai-ming and in collaboration with the Consulate General of France Hong Kong and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the screenings will be the first comprehensive retrospective on Bresson since his death in 1999. The last classic series in December will feature works of the German film master, Rainer Werner Fassbinder.
A painter before embarking on his career in filmmaking, Bresson transcended all kinds of ostentation to achieve a superb level of spirituality. His works abandon everything florid and keep the focus in voicing his thoughts with minimal execution-one line or one gesture is profoundly effective. When modernism dominated over realism during the 50's and 60's, minimalist expression became a brand-new style with Bresson as the master.
His book on creation, though brief, has been highly regarded as a priceless jewel by other creators. Same in filmmaking, with a career spanning 40 years, he directed only 13 films. The number may be small but his accomplishment transcends.
Adapted from Dostoievsky's "Crime and Punishment", the opening film "Pickpocket"(1959) is the greatest of all Bresson's creations exhibiting his transcendental style to the most. A pickpocket is eager to get his technique in thievery refined to perfection, the same effort as Bresson has devoted in transcending the power of minimalism. The recurrence of the thievery scenes - push and dash, pass and catch - conveys so much wit that it has stunned many audiences.
"The Trial of Joan of Arc"(1962) can be considered as Bresson's rumination after "Pickpocket", as both the lead characters are sentenced guilty but they insist on the purity of their beliefs on earth and in heaven. The film was the winner of the Special Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival 1962.
His debut, "The Angels of the Sin"(1943) brought Bresson the Grand Prix du Cinema Francaise in 1943. He strongly associated his religious background with the two extreme characters in the film, a keen follower of God, Sister Anne-Marie and criminal Therese. The two create significant psychological tensions for a story of sin and punishment.
If God blesses the good men, then why should a young priest suffer from a fatal disease? "Diary of a Country Priest"(1951) lingers between sacrifice and contribution and it is worth a lot of pondering - including the director's rumination on style. The film takes on a traditional style of narration and is freshened up by the intersection of monologues and images. It won the International Award at the Venice Film Festival 1951.
Awarded the Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival in 1957, "A Man Escaped" is the benchmark creation that sets Bresson's tone in structuralism and minimalism. Based on a true story, the entire film is built around one single circumstance - a man tries to escape from the prison. Given the limited space and huge gesture restrictions, such style challenges not only the perseverance of the character, but also the strength and wisdom of the director.
Regarded as the saddest of all Bresson's tragedies, "Balthazar" (1966) depicts the life of a humble donkey, which witnesses all the bitterness and torment on earth. The film won the Special Jury Prize at Venice Film Festival 1966. Considered as the sister work of "Balthazar", "Mouchette" (1967) replaces the donkey with a 14-year-old village girl, who faces all her tragedies and social duties without complaints. The film won the Best Film at Venice Film Festival 1967.
Other highlights include the "Ladies of the Park" (1945), which is Bresson's early rare work in classical style with hilarious dialogues. An adaptation from a story by Diderot, it is about a rich lady taking revenge on her faithless noble lover by arranging him to marry a grubby prostitute. In "Lancelot of the Lake" (1974), Bresson spreads the message of righteousness by featuring the loyalty of a medieval legendary hero, the Knight of the Round Table. The film received the International Critic's Prize at Cannes Film Festival 1974.
Not to be missed is Bresson's last work "Money" (1983), which won him the Best Director at Cannes Film Festival 1983. Based on Leo Tolstoy's story "The False Note", the film centers around the evils of money and it also unveils the director's feeling of despair on people's values nowadays.
All screenings at the "Robert Bresson - Transcendental Style" are in French with English subtitles. "Pickpocket", "Diary of a Country Priest", "A Man Escaped" and "Money" also have Chinese subtitles.
Tickets for the "Repertory Cinema" screenings are priced at $50 each and are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-priced concessionary tickets are available for senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients. A 10% discount is available for each purchase of three screenings or five to seven tickets in the same classic series and 20% discount for five screenings or eight tickets and above in the same classic series as well as Manhattan id card members.
Enquiries can be made at 2734 2900 or by browsing the website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp. Reservations can be made at 2734 9009 and internet booking at www.urbtix.gov.hk.
End/Friday, November 1, 2002
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