I finally watched Robert Bresson’s Journal d’un curé de campagne and was marvelled by the editing and lighting. What I loved most was the use of sound from outside the screen. Combined with the editing, in particular scenes starting at the end of conversations, it’s a clever and succinct way of storytelling. I also enjoyed the resonating power when you track the words written down in the journal as you hear them spoken. The selection of passages extracted from the Georges Bernanos novel were wisely chosen, creating a mood that was true to the book. Despite its frequent praises I avoided this film for sometime because I have never been a fan of Bresson, unlike most, or of von Trier. Their bias storytelling and their character manipulation irritates me. The overt use of character as a vehicle of storytelling, betraying their own essence undermines too great even in the beautiful mood they set so well on screen.
This week Antichrist had its general released and I’m tired of hearing about it. It’s shameful when professional critics voice the general consensus that is so shallow and misleading. Damn it, It was more than misogyny! What about von Trier’s persistent fear of men and science, the excuse man use to play god. Critics are contemporary philosophers. They have power and the means to establish or sway opinions and it makes me mad to hear them speak in bullshit.