杨思琦
发表于4分钟前回复 :In the time of Counter-Reformation, a miller and his son come under investigation by a priest of the Inquisition, when rumors spread that their prosperity comes from working with the Devil.The Devil's Trap is a film directed by František Vlá?il, based on a novel by Alfréd Technik, adapted by František A. Dvorák and Miloš Kratochvíl. It was the first of three historical dramas that Vlá?il made during the Czech New Wave (technically he isn't really a part of the New Wave, however these films were made during the same era of artistic freedom), preceding his more well known Marketa Lazarová (1967) and Valley of the Bees (1968).Set in the late 16th Century during the Catholic Reformation, in the Moravian Karst, situated in what is now the Eastern Czech Republic, it tells the tale of a miller (Vítezslav Vejrazka), and his son Jan (Vít Olmer), who come under suspicion and are investigated by a Jesuit priest of the Inquisition (Miroslav Macháchek), when rumors of witchcraft are spread by the local regent (Cestmír Randa), who is jealous of the miller's prosperity and degree of respect among the local populace.As expected from Vlá?il, this film is a stunning experience all the way through. From the opening shot, an ominous manipulation of perspective with a close up of a mangled figure of Christ dominating the foreground against a tiny figure in black walking along the horizon, to the breathtaking confrontational finale inside the vast stalactite filled Karst caverns, it is a wonderful display of visual mastery.Maybe not quite as impressive as Marketa Lazarová, but still full of astonishing imagery. As seen from unique angles and distinct points of view which highlight the director's remarkable sense of awareness of framing, motion, and positioning on the emotional and dramatic tone of the scene. The most memorable being a repeated shot where the camera is suspended and launched with speed through the air towards the miller's door.The story here is a simple one and I would say more accessible than his later works. With a conventional structure emphasized as much by its plot and characters, than by its expressionistic cinematography or authentic historical detail. The events play out without much surprise, and there is a strong underlying, almost supernatural, mysterious aspect that is left unresolved, in fact barely explored, which is slightly disappointing, but only because it's so fascinating that I wish there was more.Acting is great all around. Particularly the villains: Miroslav Macháchek as the priest, casting a sinister and imposing shadow wherever he goes, and Cestmír Randa as the weasel like regent behind all the persecution. While Vít Olmer brings a charismatic leading man presence in his role as the miller's son Jan, in love with the lovely orphan girl Martina (Karla Chadimová), who becomes a dangerous object of rivalry between Jan and other young men of the village.The film also features the evocative music of Zden?k Liška (perhaps the most prolific composer of the Czech New Wave). In this his second of eleven collaborations with Vlá?il, his compositions are used sparingly, but to great effect, complimenting but never overpowering a scene. The best example of which can be heard in an amazingly shot celebration and dance sequence at the end of the second act.The Devil's Trap might not be a masterpiece, but it is still a strong effort, with a fascinating straightforward story and a glorious historical setting captured beautifully by Vlá?il's unmistakable visual prowess. A fine work that would also be the perfect starter plate to prepare yourself for the challenging feast of Marketa Lazarová or The Valley of the Bees. It even has an easy to digest running time. It's therefore puzzling why this gem remains largely overlooked and ignored.
李欣芸
发表于6分钟前回复 :出品单位: 北京影迪通文化发展有限公司曾经年轻美丽的女通讯兵耿鸽,现在是干瘪蹒跚的独居老妪。儿女不在身边的耿老太,性格怪癖,脾气暴戾,间或沉默无语,间或滔滔不绝。唯一能够见到她笑容、听到她温和的声音的时候,是她和院子里的弱智小园丁在一起的时候。她不厌其烦地教他对人们正确的称呼,却永远都是徒劳,而耿老太乐此不疲。绰号“粽子”的年轻小混混,曾经是一个好学生,无奈家贫,只好辍学进城谋生。粽子不是无所事事、毫无节制的混,他发小广告、倒卖文物等无固定收入的做一些事情以给母亲和弟弟提供医药费与学费,有时连自己的生活都难以维持。一次偶然,粽子与耿老太相识。耿老太强行给粽子看她那些锁在玻璃柜子里的军功章,讲它们的来历。起初,粽子对她讲的那些遥远的故事并没有多少兴趣。唯一吸引他的,是柜子里被耿老太看得很紧的那把青铜古刀。耿老太像个孤独的孩子似的,对唯一“愿意”和她说话的粽子渐渐产生了依赖,她用她独特的强制专横的方法让粽子常来看她。为了那把刀,粽子开始不时地来耿老太家。耿老太总是喜欢站在窗前,看一群群鸽子飞过,听鸽哨阵阵,她的脸上浮现出少年的颜色。耿老太孤独的境遇渐渐地让粽子内心柔软起来;老人那些曾经年轻美丽的英姿飒爽的照片,让粽子渐渐对她讲的那些战争岁月的故事而感动;老人对粽子渐渐不再设防的种种表现,让粽子开始怀疑自己起初来这里的动机。看着那把古刀静静地躺在没有上锁的柜子里,粽子不知道该不该把它拿走……