La Belle et la Bête (1946)

by guest writer

La Belle et La Bête (Beauty and the Beast) concludes our month dedicated to art-house cinema. This last choice is not a random one for the end of this magical month, as it is a fairy tale adaptation, based on the tale of the same name by Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Beaumont. Never before has such a romantic fantasy been treated in such an artistic and poetic manner. The film’s beauty relies on Jean Cocteau’s talent to transcend centuries without really losing grip on the present. By opening the movie with the classic formula “Once upon a time” the director requires the viewer to open up to the irrational.

Cocteau’s visual majesty shows itself through surreal and idiosyncratic imagination. One amazing characteristic of the writer’s visual poetry is his capacity to emerge supernatural elements from everyday scenes. In La Belle et La Bête the nowadays is represented by reference to Dutch paintings of the 17th century. Having set his mind upon this background theme, the director instructed his cinematographer to study the work of painter Vermeer in order to develop a sense for space, figure positioning and lighting. Before computers, here comes fantasy full of astonishing effects and trick shots.

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6 Responses to La Belle et la Bête (1946)

Odessa wrote on
--> 30 December 2011 at 3:35 pm

Love the story, so magical!

mary jo wrote on
--> 31 December 2011 at 1:24 am

What a perfect and magical film to write about during this magical last day before the end of the new year, Ada! It has all the sweetness, longing, sadness and beauty of the end of December and your post makes me want to find a copy to re-watch…fingers crossed I can find one for tonight as I am in the mood.

Wishing you all things bright and beautiful in this coming new year dear Ada!
Much love to you,
Mary Jo

Helen @ TheStyleSchedule wrote on
--> 31 December 2011 at 5:33 am

I love this movie and remember seeing it many years ago – it is so magical and beautiful. In fact I love any Cocteau masterpiece – particularly Orphee. Just brilliant!
Have a fabulous New Years Eve Ada.
Helenx

design elements wrote on
--> 31 December 2011 at 8:55 am

you write classy, Ada! Wishing you a wonderful new year, much joy, happines and success. BIG hugs

Maria

Georgianna wrote on
--> 31 December 2011 at 11:42 am

I love this film. So many indelible images and astonishing creativity. I agree – it’s a perfect film to reflect the bittersweetness of year’s end.

Happy New Year, dear Ada! Thank you for all the classy beauty you share. xo

amourette wrote on
--> 3 January 2012 at 8:35 pm

This is a great one!

La Belle et la Bête (1946)

6 Responses to La Belle et la Bête (1946)

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