Darren Arnold Poradie kníh

Set against the backdrop of the Algerian War, the film explores the lingering emotional scars of a conflict that many in France were reluctant to confront. As Alain Resnais' first color feature, it distinguishes itself visually from other films of the era. Despite following acclaimed works like Hiroshima mon amour, Muriel did not achieve the same level of success or public interest, possibly due to its challenging themes and the contemporary audience's discomfort with the war's aftermath.

Set against the backdrop of the Algerian War, the film explores the lingering effects of trauma and memory on its characters. Alain Resnais' first color feature distinguishes itself with its unique visual style, yet it struggled to capture the audience's attention, following the success of his earlier works. The film's examination of a contentious historical context may have contributed to its lackluster box office performance, reflecting the French public's reluctance to engage with the painful realities of the conflict.

Undoubtedly the most notorious title in director Ken Russell's controversial filmography, The Devils (1973) caused a real furor on its initial theatrical release, only to largely disappear for many years. This Devil's Advocate considers the film's historical context, as the timing of the first appearance of The Devils is of particular importance, its authorship and adaptation (Russell's auteur reputation aside, the screenplay is based on John Whiting's 1961 play of the same name, which was in turn based on Aldous Huxley's 1952 book The Devils of Loudun), and its generic hybridity. Darren Arnold goes on to examine the themes prevalent in the film--this is the only film of Russell's which the director considered to be political--and considers the representation of gender and sexuality, gender fluidity, and how sex and religion clash to interesting and controversial effect. He concludes by revisiting the film's censorship travails and the various versions of The Devils that have appeared on both big and small screens, and the film's legacy and influence.