VENDREDI OU EN AUTRE JOUR

Belgium, 2005, 120 minutes, Colour.
Philippe Nahon, Alain Moraida, Ornella Muti, Hanna Schygulla.
Directed by Yvan Le Moine.

Vendredi ou en Autre Jour is a variation on the Robinson Crusoe story. The hero is called Philippe de Nohan, a variation on the name of the actor who plays the character. However, the islander is still called Friday. Ornella Muti has a cameo role as Philippe’s mother and Hanna Schygulla appears as the patron of the expedition.

The film is set in the 18th century, the time of Daniel Defoe’s story. However, it is given a French perspective. The focus is on the character of Philippe, the castaway, his coping and his interactions with the islander and the natives of the island. The story was written at a time when Jean Jacques Rousseau was talking about the noble savage – and this is a variation on the theme as well as a critique.

1.The popularity of the Robinson Crusoe story, the many screen versions, keeping the core of the story, the changes? The French perspective?

2.The title, the focus on Friday as well as on Philippe? Expectations?

3.The 18th century settings, the mid-18th century in France, prior to the revolution? The age of development? The contrast with the natives and the island, their culture, society?

4.The Pacific, the sea, the vistas of the ocean, the island, nature, the coast, the inland of the island? The musical score?

5.France, the 18th century, costumes and décor, Philippe’s mother, the women, theatre …?

6.The ship, the sailing style, the sailors, the women, on shore, on the ship itself?

7.The portrait of Philippe: his age, reputation, the voyage, his relationship with his mother, washed ashore, saving his possessions, the reconstruction, the theatrical style? 18th century elegance? Clothes, theatre, beard? His memories of his mother? His being alone, the voice-over? Reflections, his isolation? His building the boat? The fires?

8.The style of the film, realistic, surreal and theatrical?

9.The natives, Friday in this context, Philippe rescuing him, Friday being indebted, the relationship?

10.Friday, his appearance, mute, smiling, learning, the repetition of words?

11.The years passing, the changes in both, the aristocrat and servant relationship, the slave? Meals, clothes, the various activities? Sexuality?

12.The fire, the explosion, the shattering?

13.The ship, the captain, the issue of money, going to the boat, the meal, Friday and the woman, the departure?

14.Philippe staying, the note and Friday leaving? The reasons for his opting out of living in society?