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DramaFantasy

The Seashell and the Clergyman

User Score71 votes
66%6.6/10
Release1928
Runtime0H 41M
LanguageNo Language
StatusReleased

Synopsis

Obsessed with a general's wife, a clergyman has strange visions of death and lust, struggling against his own eroticism.

Principal Cast3

Full Cast & Crew (10)

Media8

Backdrops

The Seashell and the Clergyman backdrop 1
The Seashell and the Clergyman backdrop 2
The Seashell and the Clergyman backdrop 3
The Seashell and the Clergyman backdrop 4
The Seashell and the Clergyman backdrop 5

Posters

The Seashell and the Clergyman poster 1
The Seashell and the Clergyman poster 2
The Seashell and the Clergyman poster 3

Director

Germaine Dulac

Germaine Dulac

Director →

Keywords

sexual obsessionsexual frustrationsurrealismlustavant-gardesilent filmcatholic priestwoman directorfrench impressionismexperimental film

External Links

Reviews1

CinemaSerf7/10

Germaine Dulac has created a monster here... Not in any kaiju sense, but by taking a surreal swipe at just about every element of the masculine-driven, religiously flawed environment of the world in the 1920s. The eponymous priest - Alex Allin harbours none too subtle desires about the mistress of "le général" (Lucien Bataille) - the beautiful Genica Athanasiou, and the next half hour illustrates some of the complex ramifications of this infatuation. Now I have watched this many times, each time thinking as I get older, that the penny may drop and that I shall discover a deeper meaning... Each time, I thoroughly enjoy the intimate, creative imagery and the truly characterful performances, but am still really none the wiser. I think that's what is enthralling about this short enigma of a feature. It stimulates questions, but doesn't answer any of them... Clearly, the director has an agenda, and a political point to make - but we are left to imagine a healthy amount of what this might be about. Is it erotic? Is it about frustration, excess...? I still don't really know....

Jun 6, 2022

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Countries:France
Production:Délia Film