"Silsven Maria": It's actually very ethereal

Athena 2022-03-21 09:02:58

When a friend watched Olivier Assayas's "Silsven Maria" (also translated "Starlight and Cloud Silence" in 2014) in Taipei in advance, I felt itchy. After watching it, it somewhat lived up to this expectation. When I mentioned Assayas, the first thing that entered my mind was his ex-wife Maggie Cheung, and then I thought of "My Love Forgotten in Autumn", "Blurry Tribulation", "Children Bingxin" and the "Cleanliness" that Maggie Cheung won an award for. ". It seemed that he had been content with this calmness. Of course, this is the tradition of French filmmakers, enjoying the petty bourgeoisie tune they create.

More than ten years ago, after watching "My Love Forgotten in Autumn", I felt that he was very close to Rohmer. Also, before his debut, Assayas also worked as a film critic writer. Movies are not complicated in his world. The key is that the atmosphere that seems to be random is actually quite carefully constructed, which is the focus of the lens. This is evident from his love for Hou Hsiao-hsien and Yang Dechang's films.

But I can't figure out why this "Sils Maria" has to use English dialogue, because the plot requires it or because of Kristen Stewart and Chloe Grace Moretz, or because it wants to enter the United Kingdom and the United States. The movie market hopes to gain both fame and fortune. Of course, this is just my speculation. If most of this story is in the UK and the US, speaking English, then of course. It can only be said that Assayas still considers the needs of the plot.

Juliet Binoche is as dedicated as ever, and the other two are also extremely hardworking. But the chaotic narrative structure makes the non-linear interest like a broken sports car, and it is a mess before the end. What's the problem? The stars are hidden in the lonely clouds, and we are still only at a loss.

The 40-year-old actor Maria can't be more beautiful, still looking forward to the trophy and applause, but the assistant Valentin is full of personality, and it is inevitable that the two will bump into each other together. Even when walking in the superb mountains and waters of the Alps, the indescribable mood still stirs up from time to time. Coupled with the arrival of the bright and fresh Ellis, Valentine finally disappeared on the way to the clouds, and the lonely Maria returned to the stage that once made her nostalgic but sad. From the Alps to London, both belong to Europe, and the journey is not too far, but it is a world of ice and fire.

The character Sigurd on the stage is young, vigorous and ambitious, making the mature Helena go to the end of her life, which will cause the audience to think. In the movie "If I Stay", Moretz can be said to use freshness to save himself from a coma, but this time it can only be said that he did the opposite. The contrast between the characters is too great, but it is still a glimpse.

Kristen Stewart, at least in this role, is a sharp girl, full of sharp edges. In that way, I can't help but think of Susan Sontag, a multi-faceted woman writer. Talented and pretentious, it's hard to describe. Susan's film reviews are also very few and hard to say. Of course, this is also the result of the rush of people. What impressed her deeply was the "Satan Tango" she praised. She watched it once a year until she died.

It cannot be simply said that Valentin was jealous of Maria's closeness to Ellis, so she ran away early. In fact, friendship also needs psychological support or a sense of security, which is the same as love and marriage. It's just that this film makes us also immersed in the silence of stars and clouds. There is no more appropriate emotional intervention. It's just a fleeting glimpse of the clouds, which is really difficult to arouse the resonance of the soul. Flying across the water like a dragonfly is just a self-imposed limit. Only like a egret stretching its neck and sucking deeply can it be fascinating.

Starlight cloud silence, is not only a concrete image, but also a hint. The idea is so romantic, but it is actually very ethereal. It seems that no matter how talented a person is, a person's creative period is always limited, and that kind of momentum will be worn away by time sooner or later. The editing of this film also seems to be a little out of breath, but the magnificent landscape is spectacular.

Anyway, don't be demanding. Just as we are no longer demanding of other directors who have made us feel so much, it is difficult to reproduce the scenery again, we just need to wait for the opportunity, maybe this is the necessary tempering and bridging of life. The cold air is about to kill, but now the warm sun is shining, so don't be disappointed, we didn't expect it.

2015, 1, 6

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Extended Reading

Clouds of Sils Maria quotes

  • Maria Enders: Jo-Ann?

    Jo-Ann Ellis: What's up?

    Maria Enders: I wanted to ask you. You know the scene at the beginning of Act 3 when you tell me you want to leave and I get on my knees and I beg you to stay? You're on the phone ordering pepperoncini pizza for your coworkers in accounting. You leave without looking at me. As if I didn't exist. If you could pause for a second. Helena's distress would last longer when she's left alone in her office. Well, the way you're playing it, the audience follows you out but instantly forgets about her. So...

    Jo-Ann Ellis: So? So what?

    Maria Enders: When, when I played Sigrid I held it longer. I thought it was more powerful. Erotically. I mean, it really played well.

    Jo-Ann Ellis: No one gives a fuck about Helena at that point, do they? I'm sorry, it's pretty clear to me that this woman is all washed up. I mean, your character, Maria, not you. And when Sigrid leaves Helena's office, Helena's a wreck, and we get it. You know, it's time to move on. I think they want what comes next.

    Maria Enders: If you just held it a few seconds longer.

    Jo-Ann Ellis: It doesn't really feel right for me, Maria.

    Maria Enders: You're right. Yeah. I - I - I think I'm - I'm lost in my memories. You think you've forgotten your old habits, but their all - they all come back. Have to break them.

    Jo-Ann Ellis: I guess you do!

  • Piers Roaldson: [Piers proposes new movie mutant role for Maria] I'm trying to consider genetics from a more human point of view.

    Maria Enders: When I was reading it, I imagined someone much younger. Maybe me younger, actually, but you were seeing me in movies that were made years ago. I - I've changed.

    Piers Roaldson: She has no age. Or else, she's every age at once. Like all of us.

    Maria Enders: Can I be frank? Maybe it's because I'm working with her, but as I was reading it, I - I kept thinking about Jo-Ann.

    Piers Roaldson: Yeah, well personally, I never think about Jo-Ann Ellis.

    Maria Enders: You're wrong. She's smart. And talented. She's modern, just like your character.

    Piers Roaldson: My character isn't modern. Not in that way, anyway. She's, outside of time.

    Maria Enders: Outside of time. I don't understand. It's too abstract for me. It's all right.

    Piers Roaldson: I - I don't like this era.

    Maria Enders: You're wrong. It's yours!

    Piers Roaldson: Amen! I didn't choose it.

    Maria Enders: [laughs]

    Piers Roaldson: And if my era is Jo-Ann Ellis and viral Internet scandals I think I'm entitled to feel unrelated, aren't I. I mean, it's nothing against her, I guess I just assumed you'd understand.