Review of Querelle (1982) by Julie K — 07 Feb 2008
What an absolute peerless masterpiece this is. A glorious and sensual dream about subjectivity, objectification, image-making, masculinity and the disavowal from the male world of the abject female traits. But these traits cannot be disavowed, because all power needs fascination and fascination requires abjection.
The film traces Querelle's journey from rigid singularity through an induction into a masculine world to an abject melting into the arms of the weakest of male figures. Seblon, excluded voyeur and viewer of Querelle's story is actually Querelle's final resting place - as we all finally rest before the images which dazzle us.
An extremely ambiguous film, intricately bound within the image matrix it critiques - a weird and wonderful, fascinating world of mirrors, where all fall in love with their own idealized reflection & "each man kills the thing he loves.".
Certainly one of the most complex, provocative and seductive films of all time.
This review of Querelle (1982) was written by Julie K on 07 Feb 2008.
Querelle has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
