"Time is faster backwards. Repeat."
At its most brilliant at showing the trips into the Underworld, using tricks learned from Le Sang D'Un Poète but more restrained (also the mirrors, running film backwards, actors disappearing). It also features two poets, an intense Jean Marais and Roger Blin. I don't know why Marais would prefer Death (Maria Casares) to his lovely wife Marie Déa. François Périer is the faithful Heurtebise (love that name! - originally appearing in a Cocteau poem) who falls in love with her. Acting good.
Beautifully photographed by Nicolas Hayer, music by Georges Auric.
A bizarre, interesting - not to say unique - film, not without its moments of humour. You can see the influence it has had on people like David Lynch and Chris Nolan. Having seen La Belle et La Bête though, it was a bit disappointing that none of the statues came to life.
"There is nothing more vulgar than works that set out to prove something, Orphée, naturally, avoids even the appearance of trying to prove anything.
'What were you trying to say?' This is a fashionable question. I was trying to say what I said." (Cocteau, The Art of Cinema.)
So there.
"A single glass of water can illuminate the world. Repeat."
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