Muriel
cRITERION ARE ALSO PUTTING IT OUT; PROBABLY LATE SUMMER OR EARLY AUTUMN
I need to check this out (if I have seen it, I can’t remember it), as a great fan of Resnais’ early work. What happened to him after a certain point, as his films just seemed to get weaker and more pointless? You might find this interesting:
The film is also about dishonesty, and how people lie to those they love and care about to hide their own insecurity. I don’t need to say it’s haunting. I don’t necessarily see it as a critique on modernity, although there may be some of that. It really explores the tragedy of the human condition, and it teaches us to make the best of our lives. Sometimes the past needs to be dug up and discussed with honesty, in order for one to continue forward with a clear conscience.
Dazza
This is an incredible, haunting piece of work from Resnais that I urge anyone who has yet to encounter it to see. It’s one of Resnais’ “memory” films, and, like Marienbad, stars Delphine Seyrig. It’s a film that really nags away at me for days after each viewing. It’s getting an R2 release courtesy of Masters of Cinema at the end of next month, which apparently will correct some of the image issues with the current R1 and French R2, and will also include new subs. Incidentally, I know the where it was filmed like the back of my hand, which really added something to it for me as it’s not a town we see much of on screen.
I use My American Uncle as a line of demarcation for Resnais – since then he’s mainly done Ayckbourne comedies (or similar); prior to (and including) it he dazzled us with these complex, troubling works, and while Muriel may not be his best-known it is arguably his best.