The 5th century story of the shepherd Céladon and the shepherdess Astrée, first brought to life as a pastoral novel by Honoré d'Urfé in 1607, receives its newest incarnation from director Eric Rohmer. Near-death experiences, disguises and covetous nymphs are just the beginning in this graceful tale of
l'amour fou. When Astrée spies her beloved making merry with another, in a fit of jealous rage she decrees she will never speak to him again. After trying and failing to convince his love of his innocence, Céladon tries to drown himself in the river, but is handily rescued by some nymphs, who take him back to their palace, and dress him up in pretty clothes. Meanwhile, believing her lover dead, Astrée is herself contemplating suicide, until the arrival of an extremely fetching young woman (who seems curiously familiar)... With all the frosted loveliness of a petit four, this bucolic confection of love, shepherds and nymphs packs a surprisingly profound heart. Garlanded with discussions of the eternal question of love, Rohmer's (supposedly) final film is like a visitation from another century, or a waking dream. It is utterly, transcendently beautiful.
"Throughout human history, Rohmer suggests, attractive young people and the occasional interested elder (in this case a druid priest) have discussed at length the nature of love, truth, and fidelity. The movie's gravity has the effect of raising Rohmer's career-long concerns to cosmic heights."--
The Village Voice
VIFF acknowledges the support of the Consulate General of France in Vancouver in presenting the Spotlight on France.
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