topics
tools
Expatica countries
editor's choice

Top 8 places to visit in Moscow

Tips for travelling in Russia Part 1

Tax: a practical guide

Tragic history lurks in Sochi's ski slopes

Tips for travelling in Russia Part 2

Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2087.15 0.29
DAX 6327.93 0.30
IBEX 30 6600 0.95
CAC 40 3022.26 0.34
FTSE 100 5307.59 -0.58
AEX 290.73 0.17
DJIA 12442.49 -1.24
Nasdaq 2813.69 -2.10
FTSE MIB 13266.85 1.36
TSX Composite 11330.68 0.04
ASX 4098.8 -2.61
Hang seng 18951.85 -1.30
Straits Times 2779.1 -1.54
ISEQ 20 488.05 -0.26
You are here: Home Leisure Cinema review Cinema review: This year, last year, some time, never?

Cinema review

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


07/07/2011Cinema review: This year, last year, some time, never?

Cinema review: This year, last year, some time, never? The vague, frequently irritating and pretentious but nevertheless awe-inspiring L’année dernière à Marienbad (Last Year at Marienbad) (1961) by Alain Resnais is 50 this year, hence its commemorative re-release this week. Picturenose’s James Drew ponders the puzzle…

So, should you go? Well, if you want to even pretend that you know what you're talking about when it comes to the language of cinema, I'm afraid so...

Resnais, whose earlier work such as Hiroshima mon amour (1959) and, later, Muriel (1963), used a similar unconventional narrative technique, was one of the pioneers of French New Wave cinema, which sought to challenge traditional concepts of narrative construction in cinema.

The screenplay for ...Marienbad was written by acclaimed French novelist Alain Robbe-Grillet, who had not worked in cinema previously - Resnais wanted his work to be untouched by preconceived notions of pacing or structure, and this is exactly what Robbe-Grillet achieved.

Last Year at Marienbad
 
A summary is by and large pointless, as this is a film that simply demands repeated viewing if ‘understanding' is what you're after - in a nutshell, it's simply about a beautiful, brown-haired woman ‘A' (Delphine Seyrig) and a man with an Italian accent ‘X' (Giorgio Albertazzi) who may, or may not, have met a year previously at Marienbad, the beautiful, ornate, cathedral-like château in which they find themselves wandering from the film's outset.

There's a long, long trail a-winding for both characters (and the audience) to reach any kind of destination - the journey includes devilish parlour games and a loaded gun, and takes in elements from many genres, including romance, the supernatural, even horror.

It's safe to say that if you do not enjoy the stereotypical perception of French cinema, you might prefer a Coke, popcorn and blockbuster, for there is no doubting that Resnais pushes his luck more than a little in terms of audience attention-span expectations. However, if you allow yourself to fall under its spell, this is a film that will remain with you forever, and one to which you will return. So, what's it going to be then, eh?

94 min. In French.

James Drew

Please check local listings before travelling. For more reviews, check out  www.picturenose.com. Expatica's weekly cinema-review section is brought to you incollaboration with Picturenose.com. About our reviewers: Putting you in the picture. 


Check out our What's on calendar and add your own event.
BE What's on calendar...
NL What's on calendar...


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating



0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Community Noticeboard Russia

New Sound Logic

Community Noticeboard Russia

IFAs / FSIs / Country Managers / Confidential Introducers

Discuss Moscow Culture

EUR 25 for your 10 minutes: Expatica Survey 2011

Community Noticeboard Russia

EUR 25 for your 10 minutes: Expatica Survey 2011

Community Noticeboard Russia

Russian-related gift ideas

participate in the forums

Leisure essentials
Leisure expert Q&A
ask your question
Inside Expatica
Groups and clubs in Moscow

Groups and clubs in Moscow

Here’s a list of some of the groups and clubs that you can join while staying in Moscow.

Women's groups and clubs in Moscow

Women's groups and clubs in Moscow

Here are some of the many women's groups and clubs in the city.

Editor's Guide: Lifestyle in Moscow

Editor's Guide: Lifestyle in Moscow

Here's an introduction to our Lifestyle section for Moscow, from dating in the age of social media to shopping and gardening.

Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Moscow

Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Moscow

Here's a brief guide to Getting Started in Moscow, from where to go for visa and banking info to handling Russian business culture and managing a Moscow culture shock.