The Form of Tragedy——The Turn of Bresson's Thought

Richie 2022-02-24 08:02:17

The rigid picture of Joan of Arc's trial may explain one thing, that is: human tragedies often befall people in banal ways. There is no drama, no accusation or justification. Some are just dull and silent. In fact, this is the theme of Bresson's middle and late works - judgment and loneliness. Neither Lancelot nor Muchet or the donkey could escape such an ending. The hopelessness of survival is no longer the new life or liberation that pickpockets and death row prisoners encounter. There is no chance, no hope, the world is full of inextricable pain.

However, the way of expressing this torturous "mediocre" is the lackluster MS--the monotonous MS during the trial is dull and boring, and it is a complete introduction; the trial transcript is read out according to the script-this is vulgar and crude. Things, in Joan of Arc, have a special taste that the crown of thorns had on Jesus. When Bresson's iconic partial CU (walking barefoot on the execution ground) appeared, the film also reached its end point. The anti-vulgar Jensen doctrine of the Catholic faith fills the film and presents the meaningful theme of "judgment" more directly than Balsat's "Fate". What is the difference between an unjust human judgment and an even more unreasonable judgment from God? No doubt, in heaven, there will also be a stake.

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Extended Reading
  • Donna 2022-04-22 07:01:53

    Roman Polanski, who won the Best Director Award for J'accuse's "I accuse" at the 45th Caesars Awards in 2020, has caused great controversy in French society, especially women. Because he was accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in Los Angeles, and was subsequently accused of sexually assaulting multiple other women. French women took to the streets to protest against the awards, with great momentum. In fact, there are countless great women in French history, including: Saint Joan of Arc, who was both a saint inspired by God and a pure and innocent martyr. The director brought his style to the fullest. All the dialogues in the film are composed of the dialogue between the judge and Joan of Arc, and the language is so concise that it affects the rhythm of the film. The identity of "women" repeatedly emphasized by the judges in the film still seems narrow in today's era, and the final ending is also sad.

  • Joanie 2022-04-24 07:01:24

    I can be burned, but not judged. For I am a saint, Joan of Arc.

The Trial of Joan of Arc quotes

  • Jeanne d'Arc: I'd rather die than endure what I'm enduring.

  • Jeanne d'Arc: I wish to die, yes, but not by burning. My body is pure. It mustn't be reduced to ashes.