Language, as a societal construct, is the enemy.
At this point, I return to my initial admission that I don´t quite understand the film. That´s OK. I have the DVD now. I can watch it again. The film´s title translates roughly as ´The Joy of Learning" (or "Joyful Learning") which is no doubt intended partly as tongue-in-cheek, but places the emphasis on the process itself: not just the "return to zero" that obsesses Émile and Patricia, but also the act of making a film. Godard has asked the simple and pointed question: How do we decide when to end a shot and begin another? It´s a basic question that has structured his cinema from the beginning, and became even more prominent after he abandoned genre and commercial filmmaking altogether after "Weekend" (1967.)
"Le Gai savoir" is a purely didactic film, intended to communicate an idea, not to entertain. A skeptical viewer might suggest that Godard sure as heck succeeds in not entertaining but if that´s what you´re expecting here, well, don´t hold your breath.
Video
The film is presented in its original 1.33:1 fullscreen aspect ratio. This is not a restored transfer, and there is plenty of debris evident from the source print. Despite the odd quote on the DVD cover stating that this is "one of Godard´s most beautiful, most visually lucid movies," I don´t think the mediocre image quality is a major detriment here. Most of the film takes place on a darkened stage, after all.
Audio
The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Mono. Forced English subtitles support the French audio. The subtitles are sometimes inadequate when we are both seeing words on screen and hearing them on the audio track, but the subtitlers have a tough task with a film like this.
Extras
None.
Film Value
"Le Gai savoir" is the transitional point between Godard´s commercial phase and the subsequent films of the Dziga Vertov Group (next up was "Vladimir and Rosa," a challenge that makes even the most die-hard Godard fanatics blanch.) Obstinately didactic, his films of this period (and through most of the 70s) were not intended for a popular audience, and sure as hell didn´t find one. If you´re looking to be entertained, look elsewhere. For an intimate engagement with the nature of the medium of film, and the concept of language itself, look no further. Even though you probably won´t get it the first time. Or the second. But maybe you can drop an e-mail to Dr. Buckland. I bet he understands, even if he's not telling.
(Thanks again to Colin McCabe and his wonderful book "Godard: A Portrait of the Artist at Seventy.)
"Le Gai savoir" is a purely didactic film, intended to communicate an idea, not to entertain. A skeptical viewer might suggest that Godard sure as heck succeeds in not entertaining but if that´s what you´re expecting here, well, don´t hold your breath.
Video
The film is presented in its original 1.33:1 fullscreen aspect ratio. This is not a restored transfer, and there is plenty of debris evident from the source print. Despite the odd quote on the DVD cover stating that this is "one of Godard´s most beautiful, most visually lucid movies," I don´t think the mediocre image quality is a major detriment here. Most of the film takes place on a darkened stage, after all.
Audio
The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Mono. Forced English subtitles support the French audio. The subtitles are sometimes inadequate when we are both seeing words on screen and hearing them on the audio track, but the subtitlers have a tough task with a film like this.
Extras
None.
Film Value
"Le Gai savoir" is the transitional point between Godard´s commercial phase and the subsequent films of the Dziga Vertov Group (next up was "Vladimir and Rosa," a challenge that makes even the most die-hard Godard fanatics blanch.) Obstinately didactic, his films of this period (and through most of the 70s) were not intended for a popular audience, and sure as hell didn´t find one. If you´re looking to be entertained, look elsewhere. For an intimate engagement with the nature of the medium of film, and the concept of language itself, look no further. Even though you probably won´t get it the first time. Or the second. But maybe you can drop an e-mail to Dr. Buckland. I bet he understands, even if he's not telling.
(Thanks again to Colin McCabe and his wonderful book "Godard: A Portrait of the Artist at Seventy.)
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[release]23823[/release]