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Le Corbeau (1943). This French classic is in part a scathing critique of the Nazi occupation of France, which is all the more surprising in that it was made by Continental Films, a company created by the Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels. The fabulous director Clouzot, not a huge fan of the scourge of humanity, creates a world driven by conspiracy, intrigue, and mistrust of fellow men. In doing so, the atmosphere becomes corrupt, only to be breathed in by men and women that quickly spread the miasma throughout the community. The story was sublime, both literal and symbolic, with no messiness in its efforts to parallel the abstract with the tangible. The acting was solid on all accounts. Direction of course was nothing short of spectacular, coupled with subtle puissance in shot composure and wonderful use of shadow and stark dichotomy of perception. The result was maybe the first hint of French film noir, but with a brilliant Clouzot flair. Merci beaucoup.
Genruk
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Fate is my mistress, mother of the cruel abomination that is hope.
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