LE BONHEUR (HAPPINESS)
France, 1965, 79 minutes, Colour.
Jean- Claude Drouot, Claire Drouot, Sandrine Drouot, Marie- France Boyer.
Directed by Agnes Varda.
An ironic name for this moving story directed by French director, Agnes Varda, the wife of Jacques Demy. Miss Varda had made a name for herself as a director with 'Cleo From Five to Seven' in the early sixties. In this story she takes a somewhat feminist point of view by portraying the hero as a loving man but rather callous in his relationships. It is only by tragedy that he comes to some kind of awareness of his callowness - but this may be only a temporary realisation. The visual impact of the film is quite romantic and tends to disguise the rather deeper themes and the more serious touch. Running time is brief, there are some excellent family sequences which make it an interesting and moving experience.
1. The significance of the title, the way it was illustrated, its irony? The title as the theme?
2. Comment on the use of colour, scenery, flowers and trees etc. The portrayal of the countryside, the town? The musical accompaniment?
3. The importance of the atmosphere? details of the excursions to the country and their happiness? Comment on the techniques of editing.
4. The film's focus on Francois: in himself, as a person, the initial encounter with his family? Seeing him at his work, his understanding and feelings of happiness? His love for his wife and family? Why did he change? Why did he make himself available to Emilie? His basic self-centredness? His love for Emilie, his love for Therese? His inability to see that they clashed?
5. The importance of the long attention given to family sequences, the wealth of detail, the particularities of ordinary life? What response did they elicit from the audience? Where did audience sympathies lie?
6. The importance of the presentation of relations? The birth situation?
7. Francoise seen at his work at carpentering, the contrast with Therese at dressmaking? The indications of their work, way of life and social class?
8. The initial encounter with Emilie, her life and her work, her interest in Francois, her response to him, the reason for beginning their affair? The effect on Emilie? Her allowing herself to be in this situation, accepting it?
9. Contrast Therese and Emilie as persons. In themselves, in relationship to Francois, especially in terms of love, the visualising of love fulfilment, the dance, their way of speaking and conversation? How did the film make judgments without pointing morals?
10. The impact of Francois' telling the truth to Therese? The implications for his character in telling the truth without seeing the consequences, Therese's receiving of it, her love for Francois, her hurt, her death?
11. The dramatic impact of the death and yet-the quiet way it was visualised?
12. The effect of the death on the family? On Francois, on the children, on thinking of taking the children?
13 The film ending where it began, with Emile at Therese's place with the children, the excursion to the country? The indication that the process could happen again?
14. How right was the film in offering ambiguous attitudes towards Francois? The attitudes to the other characters? The insight into love, relationships, selfishness, selflessness? The differing points of view, of a man and a woman?
