Boule de suif

Interesting that Guy de Maupassant's first short story should also be the first feature of Mikhail Romm. His direction is very assured and he succeeds in creating a distinctly French ambiance and period atmosphere strangely lacking from the later version of Chrisian-Jaque. The less said about the Robert Wise version the better! Unlike these two directors Romm has resisted the temptation to combine this story with another of Maupassant's Franco-Prussian War tales 'Mademoiselle Fifi'. The title 'Boule de Suif' literally translates as 'tub of lard' and refers to the prostitute Elisabeth Rousset marvellously portrayed by Elisabeth Sergeyeva. As anyone who has read this short story will know it reflects human nature in a very negative light. The selfish and self-interested passengers beg Rousset to sleep with the Prussian officer so that he will allow them to resume their interrupted journey. This she does but is subsequently shunned by them and feels the weight of their hypocrisy. Even the nuns show little compassion. Romm has used the cramped conditions of the coach and extensive close ups to great effect in bringing this masterful tale to the screen.

During the Franco-Prussian war, inside a small wagon, a group of people are travelling through occupied France from Rouen to Havre on business. The little party includes a wine merchant and a factory owner together with their wives, a count and a countess, two nuns and an old bachelor; even war does not discourage these nine French patriots from their journey.

Since they left Rouen in a hurry at dawn there was no time for breakfast and without any provisions for the trip, the travelers soon get hungry and cranky. They are joined by Frau Boule-de-suif (played by Frau Elizabeth Rousset ) who has suffered an accident on the road with her cart. The wine merchant immediately recognizes her as a member of the world's oldest profession, a hussy as they call her. The travelers scorn her until she produces food enough for a week. That makes them quickly forget their prejudices.

They all stop at a hotel to rest but a Prussian officer, who demands their papers, also recognizes Frau Boule-de-suif and insists that she become his mistress. Since our heroine hates Prussians, she refuses but the officer tells her the entourage will be not allowed to continue on their journey unless she changes her mind.

"Pyshka", was the first film directed by Herr Mikhail Romm in the late year ( regarding silent films ) of 1934; based on Herr Guy de Maupassant's novel, the film is a splendid and ironic portrait of how supposedly strong convictions can be ignored or betrayed when other powerful earthy and selfish interests appear.

It is a sharp study about hypocrisy. Herr Romm brilliantly shows these human contradictions and betrayed principles and depicts in detailed close-ups the peculiar personalities of the different travelers in their close quarters (a small wagon and a hotel). This is not a very easy task but it is accomplished thanks to excellent actors, beautiful art direction and splendid cinematography. The final irony is that strong convictions like honor and patriotism can fall by the wayside when human weaknesses such as hunger or greed rear their heads.. The travelers are hypocrites in spite of their pious beliefs and only Frau Boul-de-suif is honest. She will suffer for her sincerity because her companions are pursuing their own interests and will forget and despise her again once their aims have been accomplished.

"Pyshka" is a great film about hypocrisy and selfishness and a brilliant adaptation of Herr Maupassant's literary work thanks to Herr Romm and the brilliant cinematography, ja wohl!.

And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must join such peculiar frenchified little party.

My comment concerns the restored version (with additional narrator's voice behind the screen and instrumental music). What can I say about this black-and-white feature? It shows human nature in all its unstable depth. Who is the heroic character in this trivial saga? According to the film it is Pyshka quite definitely. I believe it is simply impossible to take the side of any other character. I've never read the original book but I suppose the film is a very well made screening. The evil deeds of the characters surrounding Pyshka are underlined by the way they eat (devouring chicken, eggs, cucumbers, etc.), the way they cast their glances (narrow eyes, mischievous grimaces, scornful impressions), the way they generally behave (hysteria when they cannot reach their goal - i.e. cannot leave the damned hut; absolute selfishness during their long talks and gestures - they don't care about Pyshka and even about each other while everyone has his/her own fish to fry; cruelty at its usual humane worst - when they are saved, they spit onto their saviour; emptiness and lack of soul - aimless drinking and playing cards)...

What is the meaning of all this? Well, our world can be this small wagon. Everybody is fighting for oneself and humiliating a weaker person. It also reminds me of Maksim Gorkiy "Starukha Izergil" (hope, I don't mix up things here): there was a story about a young man who ripped out his own heart in order to lead people out of the woods and when he died while rescuing men and women, the people just walked away merrily while one of them even stepped upon the heart of the dead young man.

A very sombre and even tragic film it is. It should be black and white only. The music, though quite light, contributes to the whole dirty atmosphere. The close-ups of the faces are professionally done and are truly repulsive.

The film squeezes maximum sense and style out of the concept.

10 out of 10 for this masterwork. Thank you for attention.