"'71"

Jesus Christ, British army's been dying up there with shit flying at them from all angles for the last 10 years, and you're not impressed? (The Long Good Friday)

The conflict in Northern Ireland (the so-called «The Troubles») spanned for more than 30 years. Despite the fact, that this conflict is less known than The Vietnam War, it got own place in history and lest thousands of mentally and physically traumatized residents of the United Kingdom.

Gary Hook is a new recruit to the British Army. He hopes that his platoon would be sent to the West Germany, but instead they are transferred to Belfast. The capital of Northern Ireland is divided between Catholics and Protestants. During one of the search missions, one soldier loses his rifle and Cook, accompanied by another soldier, tries to regain it. They are severely beaten by angry mob and the Harry’s comrade is shot by IRA gunman. Gary evades the capturers, but the path to a base is very dangerous…

An ex-documentary director Yann Demange offers an impassionate insight into the 1970’s Northern Ireland. Without taking sides, The Director shows the young Nationalists and Catholics who are dreaming of growing up and acquiring rifles; pubs, where bombs misdetonates; bloody feud between senior and young wing of the IRA.

Such war does not have anything in common with wars about which we read and watch. In Belfast, there are no trenches, barbed wire, artillery or air strikes. Instead of it, the city is one big battlefield, where enemy is everywhere. The Northern Ireland conflict is fought by «unconventional» means – the extortion, the blackmail, the informants, the death squads doing dirty work on both sides.   

Nevertheless, even in such war, there are some people who save some traces of humanity. A retired Army medic along with his daughter shelters and helps a wounded Hook, despite the real threat of the IRA retaliation.

There is no place for justice in the real world. In a normal circumstances, nobody would not be interested in rescuing the peace of meat. The only reason for the hunt is simple – Hook knows, by coincidence, some valuable information. Nevertheless, after rescue there will be no commendation or punishment for the guilty. Mentally traumatized Gary Hook would be just thrown back into the world and maybe he will learn to live there again.

«’71» is a sincere film after which you want read some literature on The Troubles.

8/10

La fidélité

His quality of a husband entitled him to the largest privileges, but gave him no greater share in the affections of his wife…

My friends, before I begin the expression of those thoughts that I deem appropriate for this film, would you permit to make a little confession. A novel «The Princess of Cleves» written by Madame de La Fayette have not impressed me. The book is rather well-written, but it didn’t capture me. Maybe I am just an ignorant and (or) uneducated bogan. Despite this fact, I am an admirer of Andrzej Zulawski films, so I cannot miss his, still, last film.

«La fidelite» is a loose adaptation of «The Princess of Cleves»; all main events of the novel were translated in a cinema language with one little fact – events were transformed from the XVI century France to the XX century France.

If you say Andrzej Zulawski, a lot people would associate his name with «Possession». Any seasoned film admirer would be surprised – «The master of  hysterical excesses» (plagiarizing from one site) made a rather calm and restrained picture. The one could see the outbursts of a trademark Zulawski’s expression, but they are limited in time and scope.

The main theme of this film is a fight between love and societal norms. Clelia is torn apart by love to Nemo and «normal» marriage to Cleves. The Heroine can’t force herself to say «tous» to her husband and to love her husband, who sincerely loves her, but she feels a certain gratitude to him.      

Despite the fact, that «The Princess of Cleves» hasn’t made any lasting impression on me, but the book’s dilemma is still relevant. From the Middle Ages to the XXI century, a lot of couples are stuck in a loveless marriage which are merely bound by societal or some other norms.  

The Director, along with loose adaptation of «The Princess of Cleves», entered into a film the theme of clash between art and mass-media. In this sphere, the choice of Clelia’s profession is rather symbolic. A photographer is a profession which operates on the margin between art and vulgarity. Into this themes and many other, «La fidelite» contains a lot of references with «L’important c’est d’aimer». I recommend watching these films together.

Andrzej Zulawski also enters, not completely successful, the storyline of investigative reporting on the human organs trafficking and a subsequent hunt for Nemo. Nevetheless, the one could see the trademark Zulawski’s expression and they does not degrade a film.

I did not have a very high opinion about Sophie Marceau, but it has changed after my acquaintance with the films of Zulawski. Sophie Marceau is a good actress who, sadly, has not fully realized her acting talent quite often. In this film she convincingly portrayed a modern Princess of Cleves – a woman torn between love and marital obligations. Sadly, this film was the last «high-octane» role for Sophie Marceau. Nevertheless, let’s hope that she will act in something serious again.

«La fidelite» is a sincere film, which would touch any film aficionados. After watching this film, you only have to wait for release of a new Zulawski’s film.