NWR movies Le Havre

M

Marc D

Marc Davis
If you are tired of politics and super hero movies, this humble film may be just right. We watched it last night with popcorn and a bottle of Tissot Cremant du Jura and were delighted.

Michael Sicinski writes:
"That is, Kaurismäki’s cinema is a celebration of the right to happiness, good friends, good drink, rock and roll. Wealth should have absolutely nothing to do with one’s access to life’s pleasures. Those who have must give, and those who do not should never give up. If there is one bedrock value that underpins all moral aspects of Kaurismäki’s universe, it is best summed up in the title of one of his short films: Always Be a Human."
 
I've never seen his French films, only his Finnish ones. But how do those cross the culture gap? Are they understandable with English subs? I ask because the Finnish films use an extremely formal version of the language which adds a level of awkwardness to the speech that is impossible to match in English. Basically he uses a language that does not exist and the use of such discourse adds an existential dimension to the atmosphere of being estranged from one's emotions. Do the French films also have such a deliciously comic, estranged and awkward use of language?
 
I'm sure that a little is lost with the English subtitles.
But it is easily understandable I think.
I guess we miss out on the depth added with the original formal style of Finnish.
The language translations have a bit of the estranged and comic to them in a different way.
 
originally posted by Claude Kolm:
Another view of Le Havre -- from the human beast.

Yet another classic view of Le Havre.
Click to expand...

Speaking of French film renditions, everyone should definitely check out Marcel Carné's "Le Quai des brumes."* The novel by Pierre MacOrlan, itself a great piece, was set in Montmartre (a.k.a. "le Maquis"), but the film transposed everything to Le Havre. So sharply done. Carné is just the bee's knees. Also, young Jean Gabin.

*ETA, the second link is to a preview of the Carné film. Did not click through before I posted.
 
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