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Viridiana (1961) - Luis Bunuel
I can't say enough about don Luis. He doesn't back down from anyone. He's a provocateur and reflectionist of a crippled society. In majority of his work he openly mocks Franco's regime and Catholic church, and Viridiana is no exception. In fact this film was initially banned in Spain and completely denounced by Vatican.
This film is divided in 2 parts : first tells a tragic story of an old man played by Feranando Rey (Bunuel's go-to choice for portraying lusty old men) whose obsession towards his niece, young nun Viridiana (Silvia Pinal) ends up in him commiting quite a few immoral deeds.
The second one follows Viridiana, who now has formed a group of beggars in order to help them form a meaningful life. Exactly second act of the film is a fascinating character study and a Bunuel's little satire on socio- economic differences, manifested through beggars, who have completely lost any sense of morality. Violence, murder and rape are all included, to paint an exact picture of how beggars have lost their humanity to the hardship of poverty. Perhaps the most famous scene is the one of beggars recreating the image of "The Last Supper" accompanied by "Hallelujah" refrain from Handel's oratory.
And rightfully so, because it perfectly embodies the genius of Bunuel and his knack for displaying social commentary through grotesque images. There are also a quite a few subtle motives like a burning thorn crown and and cross which shapes into a knife, which I'm sure Catholic church was delighted with.
In the end Viridiana is Bunuel's pessimistic view of a fallen society , shown through some of the most poweful and masterful shots in cinema's history, interestingly with very few surreal elements ,which are obviously Bunuel's signature trademark, but nonetheless sculptured very delicately.
In my opinion Viridana is nothing short of a mastepiece and a cinema at it's purest form.
Rating: 10/10
I can't say enough about don Luis. He doesn't back down from anyone. He's a provocateur and reflectionist of a crippled society. In majority of his work he openly mocks Franco's regime and Catholic church, and Viridiana is no exception. In fact this film was initially banned in Spain and completely denounced by Vatican.
This film is divided in 2 parts : first tells a tragic story of an old man played by Feranando Rey (Bunuel's go-to choice for portraying lusty old men) whose obsession towards his niece, young nun Viridiana (Silvia Pinal) ends up in him commiting quite a few immoral deeds.
The second one follows Viridiana, who now has formed a group of beggars in order to help them form a meaningful life. Exactly second act of the film is a fascinating character study and a Bunuel's little satire on socio- economic differences, manifested through beggars, who have completely lost any sense of morality. Violence, murder and rape are all included, to paint an exact picture of how beggars have lost their humanity to the hardship of poverty. Perhaps the most famous scene is the one of beggars recreating the image of "The Last Supper" accompanied by "Hallelujah" refrain from Handel's oratory.
And rightfully so, because it perfectly embodies the genius of Bunuel and his knack for displaying social commentary through grotesque images. There are also a quite a few subtle motives like a burning thorn crown and and cross which shapes into a knife, which I'm sure Catholic church was delighted with.
In the end Viridiana is Bunuel's pessimistic view of a fallen society , shown through some of the most poweful and masterful shots in cinema's history, interestingly with very few surreal elements ,which are obviously Bunuel's signature trademark, but nonetheless sculptured very delicately.
In my opinion Viridana is nothing short of a mastepiece and a cinema at it's purest form.
Rating: 10/10