Diary of a Country Priest
Dir: Robert Bresson
France, 1951, 110minmins, 35mm
Cast: Claude Laydu, Jean Riveyre, André Guibert
Perhaps Bresson’s most overtly Catholic film, yet hardly an evocation of mere catechism or even simple piety. Instead, Bresson’s protagonist, a priest alone and beset in his hostile rural surroundings, pulls us into his struggles with doubt, with prayer, with himself and his fellow men, with God – in short, with the very nature of faith. Based on the novel by Georges Bernanos, a magnificent essay that makes religion its resonant question rather than a simple answer.
1951 Venice Film Festival, International Award
1952 French Syndicate of Cinema Critics, Best Film
Further reading:
Diary of a Country Priest and the stylistics, From Robert Bresson by James Quandt (Toronto: Cinematheque Ontario, 1998)
Remarks
1. Screenings at Broadway Cinematheque are available at Broadway Cinematheque and website of Broadway Circuit only. For related ticketing information, please refer to www.cinema.com.hk.
2. Screenings at Emperor Cinemas iSQUARE, Emperor Cinemas Times Square and PREMIERE Elements : tickets are available at URBTIX till 5pm one day before respective screening, after which tickets will be available only at the box office of the respective venue on the day of screening, subject to availability.
3. Screenings at HK Arts Centre and M+ Cinema : tickets are available at URBTIX outlets until one hour before the screening, after which tickets are available at URBTIX website and mobile app. On-the-day tickets will also be available at the Self-service Ticketing Kiosk of the respective venue, subject to availability.
4. Unless otherwise stated, all films (except English-speaking films) are subtitled in English.
5. While it is the HKIFFS’s policy to secure the best possible print of the original version for all its screenings, the HKIFFS appreciates its patrons’ understanding on occasions when less than perfect screening copies are screened.
