Mondo Macabro: Mondo Macabro: 2009 Releases / Lanzamientos 2009 (Parte 4)

Gradiva (C'est Gradiva Qui Vous Appelle) / DVD-Video
Widescreen 1.85:1 Color (Anamorphic) / Production Year: 2006 / Region All

Large: Front • Back | Studio: Mondo Macabro | Production Year: 2006 | Release Date: 8/25/2009 | Length: 115 mins

Sinopsis:
John Locke es un historiador del arte que se encuentra en Marruecos estudiando los trabajos de Eugene Delacroix. Mientras investiga sobre su obra en tierras africanas, se cruza por su camino varias veces una figura etérea, que le hace perderse entre las calles antes de desvanecerse. Tras una de esas apariciones Locke conoce a un anticuario y su grupo de amigas/cortesanas, con quien comienza a tener cada vez más relación pese a los consejos de su criada y amante Belkis, que le pide que se mantenga lejos de ellos.

Synopsis: An Englishman studying the illustrations of Eugène Delacroix, uncovers never seen before illustrations by the French artist, while in Morocco. The Englishman sets out to find out if these drawings are indeed the work of Eugène Delacroix. The further he explores the truth behind the illustrations the more he becomes consumed by the imagery.
Gradiva was written and directed by Alain Robbe-Grillet whose other notable films as a director include The Immortal One, Eden and After and The Beautiful Prisoner. He also wrote the screenplay for Last Year at Marienbad. The screenplay for Gradiva was adapted from German author Wilhelm Jensen’s novella “Gradiva”.

The plot for Gradiva is hallucinatory journey in which its lead protagonist an Englishman named John Locke finds himself in too deep when he becomes obsessed with finding a mysterious woman dressed in white. After some investigating he uncovers that this woman in white is somehow connected to a woman named Gradiva who was the model who posed for the recently unearthed Delacroix illustrations. The most fascinating aspect of this film is how John Locke’s journey and that of the viewer are intertwined. Besides the film’s lead protagonist John Locke the film is populated with an abundance of decadent characters that further enhance voyeuristic nature of the story at hand.

The films more erotic moments of sadistic delights look like something right out of the works of the Marquis De Sade. Surprisingly the films standout performance doesn’t come from James Wilby, the actor cast in the role of John Locke. Instead the best performance comes from an actress named Dany Verissimo who is cast in the role of Belkis a young servant girl who takes care of John Locke. Belkis as the story evolves becomes attached to John Locke who she has several sexual liaisons with. Ultimately Gradiva, is a mesmerizing tale in which all lines that discern what is real or what is an illusion are blurred.

Features:

Exclusive filmed interview with Alain Robbe-Grillet
Theatrical trailer
Extensive Production Notes
Mondo Macabro Preview

Video:

Widescreen 1.85:1 Color (Anamorphic)

Audio:

FRENCH: Dolby Digital Stereo

Subtitles:

English

Extras Review:
Extras for this release include a trailer for the film (49 seconds – in French with English subtitles), text bios for the following cast members James Wilby, Arielle Dombasle & Dany Verissimo and writer / director Alain Robbe-Grillet and a text piece titled Robbe-Grillet on Gradvia. The main extra for this release is an interview with Alain Robbe-Grillet (30 minutes 52 seconds – in French with English subtitles). The interview includes comments from Alain Robbe-Grillet about his influences, eroticism, reality, fantastique, De Sade and censorship. Rounding out the extras is the Mondo Macabro preview trailer which includes clips from titles they have currently released or about to release. Overall Alain Robbe-Grillet’s final film Gradiva gets an exceptional DVD release from Mondo Macabro.

Comentario:
Alain Robbe-Grillet es el máximo exponente de la "nueva novela" francesa, una corriente literaria y cinematográfica de los 50-60, que rehusa de estructura narrativa convencional. Eso se nota en sus novelas y en su cine. C'Est Gradiva... (Es Gradiva quien te Llama) no es una excepción. Confusa y atípica, nos mueve por escenarios marroquíes, alternando belleza y crueldad, fantasía y realidad, en un trabajo visualmente estimulante, pero que peca de pedante y aburrido. Los actores están bien (teniendo en cuenta el poco aprecio que siente Robbe-Grillet en desarrollarlos), y el erotismo es una parte importante de la película, al igual que en trabajos anteriores (el último de ellos realizado 11 años antes de el que nos ocupa). Algún miembro del reparto nos confesaba en la intimidad que también pensaba que la película era soberanamente aburrida, pero que no podía rechazar el papel por tratarse de alguien con el prestigio del director.

Fuente: http://10kbullets.com/reviews/g/gradiva/
Título Original: Gradiva (C'est Gradiva qui vous appelle) ... aka It's Gradiva Who Is Calling You (International: English title: literal title)