RIP Marcel Hanoun

Thanks for this, Blue.

Nice one Blue!

Were it not for Marcel Hanoun’s Une Simple Histoire I would probably look upon Hiroshima as the new wave’s most substantial contribution to film art. Une Simple Histoire, however, is such a thoroughly revolutionary film that not only does it defy comparison with any postwar French film, but I doubt that any single film in the history of cinema has ever attempted such an immense forward leap. – Noël Burch liked it.

I also love Hanoun’s “Le Printemps.”

He was a very unusual experimental talent.

Beyond the interesting framing, shadows, repetitions, layering of time and memory, events and explanations left unknown, and use of music, what a deeply moving film Une Simple Histoire is.

Speaking of Burch, i was reminded of his Noviciat, and our view of a woman being blocked by a back.

I was thinking of A Man Escaped and Jeanne Dielman, but what came to me from the film is compassion. It had me thinking not only of how many societies have turned their backs on poor and homeless people, or pass judgment without knowing circumstances, but also this:

“A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

And by chance there came down a certain priest that way; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him: and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee."