In the time of Counter-Reformation, a miller and his son come under investigation by a priest of the Inquisition, when rumors spread that their prosperity comes from working with the Devil.
The Devil's Trap is a film directed by František Vlá?il, based on a novel by Alfréd Technik, adapted by František A. Dvorák and Miloš Kratochvíl. It was the first of three historical dramas that Vlá?il made during the Czech New Wave (technically he isn't really a part of the New Wave, however these films were made during the same era of artistic freedom), preceding his more well known Marketa Lazarová (1967) and Valley of the Bees (1968).
Set in the late 16th Century during the Catholic Reformation, in the Moravian Karst, situated in what is now the Eastern Czech Republic, it tells the tale of a miller (Vítezslav Vejrazka), and his son Jan (Vít Olmer), who come under suspicion and are investigated by a Jesuit priest of the Inquisition (Miroslav Macháchek), when rumors of witchcraft are spread by the local regent (Cestmír Randa), who is jealous of the miller's prosperity and degree of respect among the local populace.
As expected from Vlá?il, this film is a stunning experience all the way through. From the opening shot, an ominous manipulation of perspective with a close up of a mangled figure of Christ dominating the foreground against a tiny figure in black walking along the horizon, to the breathtaking confrontational finale inside the vast stalactite filled Karst caverns, it is a wonderful display of visual mastery.
Maybe not quite as impressive as Marketa Lazarová, but still full of astonishing imagery. As seen from unique angles and distinct points of view which highlight the director's remarkable sense of awareness of framing, motion, and positioning on the emotional and dramatic tone of the scene. The most memorable being a repeated shot where the camera is suspended and launched with speed through the air towards the miller's door.
The story here is a simple one and I would say more accessible than his later works. With a conventional structure emphasized as much by its plot and characters, than by its expressionistic cinematography or authentic historical detail. The events play out without much surprise, and there is a strong underlying, almost supernatural, mysterious aspect that is left unresolved, in fact barely explored, which is slightly disappointing, but only because it's so fascinating that I wish there was more.
Acting is great all around. Particularly the villains: Miroslav Macháchek as the priest, casting a sinister and imposing shadow wherever he goes, and Cestmír Randa as the weasel like regent behind all the persecution. While Vít Olmer brings a charismatic leading man presence in his role as the miller's son Jan, in love with the lovely orphan girl Martina (Karla Chadimová), who becomes a dangerous object of rivalry between Jan and other young men of the village.
The film also features the evocative music of Zden?k Liška (perhaps the most prolific composer of the Czech New Wave). In this his second of eleven collaborations with Vlá?il, his compositions are used sparingly, but to great effect, complimenting but never overpowering a scene. The best example of which can be heard in an amazingly shot celebration and dance sequence at the end of the second act.
The Devil's Trap might not be a masterpiece, but it is still a strong effort, with a fascinating straightforward story and a glorious historical setting captured beautifully by Vlá?il's unmistakable visual prowess. A fine work that would also be the perfect starter plate to prepare yourself for the challenging feast of Marketa Lazarová or The Valley of the Bees. It even has an easy to digest running time. It's therefore puzzling why this gem remains largely overlooked and ignored.
对80年代作品如Videorome的回归，献身于进化，献身于New Flesh。Saul Tenser此时更像一位圣人。
这样的艺术何尝不是另外一种会被批判的艺术，也许这种艺术对现在的人类来说还为时尚早吧。这样的片子看一遍都是痛苦和煎熬，完全没兴趣去细细品味。
在一系列的设定下浮现出的是影片所描绘的这个未来社会的强意识形态笼罩，不仅是艺术处于这种进化监管之下，连自然规律都是被掌控的，不管是小k还是那两个公司职员其实都是类似KGB角色的变体，在Caprice呼喊出不可知不可见的黑暗中心里，隐隐有着Big Brother的影子。
从诗句中挖掘意蕴类比成从身体中开掘出内涵，属于典型的指物错乱，当然如果非要强行比较，身体和自然存在器官的自然美只是个框架，而展现人体内在行为艺术和自走型“塑料废物处理鸡”在柯南堡视域下都是艺术美，因为有理念加持，但也会因为被动过手脚的“物”，导致最终指向这个新新人类时，理念彻底崩溃，毕竟黑格尔的自然美与艺术美关系，并不是个走哪哪牛逼的自动机，绝望的结尾即悲悯又美且引人深思，三者不分彼此，不要作任何 价值排序 的忠告回响不绝，柯南堡用心良苦啊！
看不懂……不过body is the reality这句倒是让我想到具身认知
剧情设定挺高级，幻想未来没有生理痛苦的人类。
实在话，我是有点不理解也欣赏不来类似钛的那种法国新恐怖主义和这种电影的（在我看来是一类，不过我的评价是比钛强）实在是审美不在用身体涅槃的点子上…
柯南伯格对身体器官的研究与追求真respect
“手术即性”的概念确实够cult，也够吸引眼球，但是电影本身剧情乏善可陈。在喋喋不休的对话和概念解释之外，唯一亮点在于蕾雅·赛饰演的女助理与维果·莫腾森饰演的行为艺术家之间的手术过程展示。
已经要八十岁的一代名导柯南伯格再次尝试了新类型的恐怖片，首先我必须膜拜导演的脑洞，不过作品也是肉眼可见的乏力，绕了很大一个圈子，如此邪典，如此夸张的阐述了一个道理——最初的才是最美的，不要随意改变自己的身体
没感觉到恐怖，这种形式的性趣我还是get不到
人均喉癌气泡音搞得我大约30%没听明白… surgery is the new art & sex的概念出乎意料地好体会，以至于我觉得中间小k的old sex行为是最creepy的。选角我都好爱，完美符合未来的激情的冷漠的前卫的美丽的人们。Howard Shore配乐好棒。
即便是被当众切开，痛觉也无法与观看者同场共鸣，仍然是限定于施刀者和受刀者之间极为私密的肉体交合及精神共振，“surgery is the new sex”由此成立。只是柯南伯格从早年对于形体本身“内”与“外”之美的极致追求到如今选择以身体为噱头服务表演艺术的转变属实放弃了他标志性的险棋，比起新器官的诞生，更想看他拿痛觉紊乱大做文章，以及探讨在死亡后主观意识上痛觉消失所带来的局限和新的可能性。
诗意，甜腻，梦溺的诗歌
行，哪天要是写身体与权力的论文，肯定先考虑这一部。you can be open with me（物理）。除了不适合吃饭时看之外，不得不感叹柯南伯格真会拍v叔，以及，男主其实叫“sore tenser”诶。
虽然内核还是柯南伯格式的科技带来人的异化，但是依然好看
k的气泡音真的很让我出戏 柯南伯格的设定也是充满了年代感
探讨科技，艺术和道德边界的矛盾，主题创意还不错，但是很多人物动机我没太看懂？ 主角卧底改造人世界结果最后自己变成改造人了？克里斯丁在里面的戏很迷，她到底是干什么的。
3.5，废区科技、器官飞升、新式性爱、身体罪行、政治控诉
们逐渐失掉各种可能性，刺瓣的是一个被塑造
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