Au hasard Balthazar. Robert Bresson, 1966.
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Edition screened: Criterion DVD #297, released 2005. French language with English subtitles. Runtime approximately 95 minutes.
Summary: Repeated abuse of a donkey, culminating in his death.
Details: Scenes of abuse more sad than graphic provide the structure and chronology of the film.
There are two intertwined narrative lines. In one we meet Balthazar as a sweet young donkey, watch his sad life unfold, and witness his comparatively calm death. In the second plot line we meet young Marie who is Balthazar’s affectionate first owner, and witness her maturation. Marie mistakenly loves Gerard who is abusive to both girl and donkey.
Bresson was one of our great visual poets, and he establishes Balthazar both as a Christ figure and as a representative of each viewer. Despite lingering shots of his beautiful face, Balthazar’s eyes do not expose his thoughts. The title translates to something like “take it as it comes, Balthazar,” and indeed, the world will act upon Balthazar, upon Christ, and upon each of us despite our plans or inner thoughts.
And thanks for that sound philosophical reminder. But this is yet another movie where the jackass boyfriend/husband tortures the girl’s companion animal to death, and the abuse of that animal is designed to elicit even greater sympathy for the girl: The girl who could have provided protection to her friend and did not. The girl who had choices and chose stupidly. The girl who lacked the understanding of Christ or donkey.