Robert Bresson: Au hasard Balthazar

Robert Bresson: Au hasard Balthazar [For example Balthasar] [OmeU] France/Sweden, 1966, R: Robert Bresson with Anne Wiazemsky, Walter Green, François Lafarge, 95 min

DE

The donkey Balthazar grows up with the children Marie and Jacques, but is soon separated from them and changes hands over the course of his life. He has to bear burdens, is beaten, exploited, temporarily used as a circus animal and finally for smuggling. His path crosses repeatedly with Maries, who in turn suffers from the violence and humiliation of young Gérard. Through the parallel fates of an animal and a young girl, the film creates a picture of human cruelty that is both tender and relentless.

EN

The Donkey Balthazar grows up alongside the children Marie and Jacques, but is soon separated from them and passes from one owner to another over the course of his life. He is made to carry heavy loads, beaten and exploited, becomes a circus animal for a time and is eventually used for smuggling. His path repeatedly crosses that of Marie, who in turn su? ers the violence and humiliation inflicted upon her by the young Gérard. Through the parallel fates of an animal and a young woman, the film creates a portrait of human cruelty that is both tender and unflinching.