***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** In the aftermath of the French new wave, out of the Cahiers bunch of Truffaut, Godard, Chabrol, Rohmer and Rivette, the last became the most enigmatic filmmaker of the posse. Probably the most famous effort from this meticulous artist is "Celine et Julie vont en bateau", somewhat overshadowing this little masterpiece.
And when I say little i mean, that even in its 135 form "La Religiuse" is one of the shortest films by Rivette. It is fittingly minimalistic in everything but emotion. Which flows in abundance. The story is obviously packed with emotional goodies: parents "donate" one of their daughters to a monastery, because they cannot manage hew dowry, in the first monastery she is abused violently, because she obviously lacks faith and dedication, she gets a move to another establishment where the head nun harasses her sexually. It all ends in suicide.
This is filmmaking of the highest calibre where only what is essential is shown. You'll know whether you'll like it!
And when I say little i mean, that even in its 135 form "La Religiuse" is one of the shortest films by Rivette. It is fittingly minimalistic in everything but emotion. Which flows in abundance. The story is obviously packed with emotional goodies: parents "donate" one of their daughters to a monastery, because they cannot manage hew dowry, in the first monastery she is abused violently, because she obviously lacks faith and dedication, she gets a move to another establishment where the head nun harasses her sexually. It all ends in suicide.
This is filmmaking of the highest calibre where only what is essential is shown. You'll know whether you'll like it!