THE INDIANS ARE STILL FAR AWAY
France, 1977, 95 minutes, Colour.
Isabelle Huppert, Christine Pascal, Matthieu Carriere, Nicole Garcia, Anton Diffring.
Directed by Patricia Moraz.
The Indians Are Still Far Away is a story about young people in the 1970s. It focuses on a character at school, her education, her mental background, her relationships, her imagination, her disintegration – and the film has a pessimistic ending. It is a star vehicle for Isabelle Huppert who began her career at age eighteen in 1971 (and by 2007 had appeared in eighty-nine films). She is a superb actress and this is an opportunity to see her in the early years of her career. German actor Mathieu Carriere appears in the supporting cast as does French actress and director Nicole Garcia.
1. The impact of the title, its meaning, explanation about the Indians and civilization, the photos of the Indians and their effectiveness as a symbol? The appearance of the jinn, Indian in Jinny's imagination? What light did they throw on the character of Jenny and the themes of the film?
2. The style of the film's colour, backgrounds, city life, the location photography? Homes, school, cafes? The pacing of the film for the ordinary audience? An introspective film?
3. The psychological background and the insight? The work of the director? In mental homes and the bringing of this perception to her character studies? The character of Jenny, her interactions and behaviour? How credible a character was Jenny?
4. The introduction to the film and the news information about Jenny's death? Audience expectations to know what happened to her? The structure of the film with the seven days ? anticipation, pace, leisurely and introspective exploration of these days?
5. How did the audience share Jenny’s feelings and experience by the pacing of the film, the camera shots, close ups, long takes? Sharing her withdrawal and her puzzlement about life? Observing Jenny and yet observing life through her?
6. How attractive was Isabelle Huppert in the central role? Authentic and convincing? Jenny as an average school girl type, or different? The nature of her introspection, kindness, her capacity for listening? Her sympathy and helping her friends? Her appreciation of art especially the impact of the classes on Thomas Mann? The contrast with Lise and her style and her approach to life and study? The importance of the information of Lise's pregnancy and her reaction and help? The contrast with Jenny, Matthias, Guillaume? What was Jenny striving for in this last week of her life?
7. A portrait of young people in the seventies with their life style and values? The importance of the older group lamenting the political activities and revolution of the sixties? Living in their memories? The unseen Sandro and the quoting of his words and behaviour? The presentation of Jenny, Matthias, Guillaume and their memories, their aims during the seventies? What fascinated Lise about these friends? What fascinated Jenny? The introduction in the cafe, the various cafes which they visited, the quality and content of their talk?
8. Jenny and the patterns of her life? Her home, her room, her mornings and waking up, the bond with her grandmother, the gym and basketball scenes, the effect of the cafe talk on her, her study? the sequence of discussion with Lise in the toilet? Her response to the pregnancy, her going to the psychiatrist and offering the abortion help? The preparation for the speeches on the Saturday? The drinking and the effect? The class on Thomas Mann at the beginning and at the end and reaction of the teacher postponing the talk with her because of the weekend? What were her hopes and ambitions?
9. How well drawn were the supporting characters in the film? Their meaning for Jenny's life especially the peer group, her grandmother, and the teacher?
10. The significance of the old man who had gone mad? Her explanation of him? The bond between Jenny and him which was revealed late in the film? Her talk to him and showing him the photos of the Indians? The significance of his statement about new directions in life being taken and accidents occurring? Was this sufficient explanation for Jenny's walking into the snow and her death?
11. The effect of the portrait of Jenny on each of the days of the week? The transition to the Sunday? The way of filming her wait, her walk into the snow and the memories of the men finding her body?
