Must give it another go. Only seen once, and was perhaps a little tired and emotional after a night’s carousing, so not the best time to give it my best and fullest attention…should have put on Aliens, the default post-carousing film…
But I do remember finding it intriguing, and wondering what the heck was wrong with this lady…ha-ha! Will watch again…Ta!
And as for Zara, or any shopping expeditions with my wife and daughter, Dante’s going to need more circles…and I’m gonna need a bigger boat!
All right, I'll have to try again. The last time I gave the film a viewing, I found it yawningly boring. Maybe I've seen too many "bourgeoises" in Chanel and sensible shoes growing up ... often the mothers of my college buddies. They might have benefited from a little 2 to 5, lol.
Sometimes, I think, you need to see a film several times before 'getting' it. I watched Visconti's Ludwig (1973) recently and loved it- and then again- and liked it even more. But the first time I saw it at the cinema, in my 20s, I fell asleep. Says it all.
A nice piece, about a favourite film. Bunuel said that what he missed about giving up smoking wasn't the nicotine but the rituals of smoking; the lighting, ashing, gesturing; the choreography. Carriere said that, when they were researching Belle de Jour, he, Bunuel and Francisco Rabal visited some establishments like the one in the film, and stayed on the enjoy the facilities; (Carriere lived in a converted brothel in Pigalle, which he'd restored with the former furnishings.) They suggested to Bunuel that he stay also, but he begged off. It wasn't out of pudeur. Bunuel knew the world of paid sex very well, but I think what he really liked was what he enjoyed in smoking; the choreography of the old bordel scene of Madrid and Paris in the 'twenties.
Must give it another go. Only seen once, and was perhaps a little tired and emotional after a night’s carousing, so not the best time to give it my best and fullest attention…should have put on Aliens, the default post-carousing film…
But I do remember finding it intriguing, and wondering what the heck was wrong with this lady…ha-ha! Will watch again…Ta!
And as for Zara, or any shopping expeditions with my wife and daughter, Dante’s going to need more circles…and I’m gonna need a bigger boat!
NOT the best film to see when you're pissed. Yes, it's one of those films which you need to see a few times to get your head around it.
Wilco!
All right, I'll have to try again. The last time I gave the film a viewing, I found it yawningly boring. Maybe I've seen too many "bourgeoises" in Chanel and sensible shoes growing up ... often the mothers of my college buddies. They might have benefited from a little 2 to 5, lol.
Sometimes, I think, you need to see a film several times before 'getting' it. I watched Visconti's Ludwig (1973) recently and loved it- and then again- and liked it even more. But the first time I saw it at the cinema, in my 20s, I fell asleep. Says it all.
I might change my mind...
Thanks for a very interesting assessment of a fascinating and visually exquisite film and its wider context.
Mlle Deneuve aside, I think I prefer Buñuel's Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie - might I suggest that as the subject for a future article?
Very much enjoyed this. Your description of shopping in Zara is bang on! Amusing. Definitely been guilty of that tranced, glazed-eye state myself!
SO true, ain't it?!
Yah! 💯
A nice piece, about a favourite film. Bunuel said that what he missed about giving up smoking wasn't the nicotine but the rituals of smoking; the lighting, ashing, gesturing; the choreography. Carriere said that, when they were researching Belle de Jour, he, Bunuel and Francisco Rabal visited some establishments like the one in the film, and stayed on the enjoy the facilities; (Carriere lived in a converted brothel in Pigalle, which he'd restored with the former furnishings.) They suggested to Bunuel that he stay also, but he begged off. It wasn't out of pudeur. Bunuel knew the world of paid sex very well, but I think what he really liked was what he enjoyed in smoking; the choreography of the old bordel scene of Madrid and Paris in the 'twenties.
Thank you. Praise indeed!