Doc Films (University of Chicago) – Wednesday, 7 and 9:30pm
What
is it about French directors in the 60's that made them visualize the
future as looking pretty much the same, but with a few fancy gadgets and
streamlined clothing? And what was it about Ray Bradbury that makes his
dystopian futures less frightening than Philip K. Dick's? François
Truffaut can share credit for both of these phenomena. In his first
color film, and only English language film, Bradbury's 1951 novel of the
same name is adapted to become an anti-censorship, pro-intellectual
statement. In a future where all books and written language are banned,
Oskar Werner plays the book burning "fireman," an up-and-coming fascist
about to get promoted who has a crisis of conscience. Julie Christie
plays the dual roles of Linda, his sedative and TV addicted wife, and
Clarisse, the young schoolteacher who seduces his mind. Beginning with
the opening credits, which are spoken by a narrator while we see
two-toned shots of antennae, Truffaut forefronts his visual acumen.
Though the dialogue is sometimes lacking in terms of rhythm and
delivery, the art direction is sublime. The reds, oranges, and yellows
of burning paper dominate Christie's wardrobe and home, and only a
handful of cool colors are dripped throughout the film. The film uses
some quick zooms, which feel dated today, but sheds many of the
cinematic flourishes that populate much of Truffaut's earlier work.
Though technically sci-fi, it's light on the science, and heavy on the
(literary) fiction. (1966, 112 min, 35mm) JH - Cine-File.info
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