In the time of Counter-Reformation, a miller and his son come under investigation by a priest of the Inquisition, when rumors spread that their prosperity comes from working with the Devil.
The Devil's Trap is a film directed by František Vlá?il, based on a novel by Alfréd Technik, adapted by František A. Dvorák and Miloš Kratochvíl. It was the first of three historical dramas that Vlá?il made during the Czech New Wave (technically he isn't really a part of the New Wave, however these films were made during the same era of artistic freedom), preceding his more well known Marketa Lazarová (1967) and Valley of the Bees (1968).
Set in the late 16th Century during the Catholic Reformation, in the Moravian Karst, situated in what is now the Eastern Czech Republic, it tells the tale of a miller (Vítezslav Vejrazka), and his son Jan (Vít Olmer), who come under suspicion and are investigated by a Jesuit priest of the Inquisition (Miroslav Macháchek), when rumors of witchcraft are spread by the local regent (Cestmír Randa), who is jealous of the miller's prosperity and degree of respect among the local populace.
As expected from Vlá?il, this film is a stunning experience all the way through. From the opening shot, an ominous manipulation of perspective with a close up of a mangled figure of Christ dominating the foreground against a tiny figure in black walking along the horizon, to the breathtaking confrontational finale inside the vast stalactite filled Karst caverns, it is a wonderful display of visual mastery.
Maybe not quite as impressive as Marketa Lazarová, but still full of astonishing imagery. As seen from unique angles and distinct points of view which highlight the director's remarkable sense of awareness of framing, motion, and positioning on the emotional and dramatic tone of the scene. The most memorable being a repeated shot where the camera is suspended and launched with speed through the air towards the miller's door.
The story here is a simple one and I would say more accessible than his later works. With a conventional structure emphasized as much by its plot and characters, than by its expressionistic cinematography or authentic historical detail. The events play out without much surprise, and there is a strong underlying, almost supernatural, mysterious aspect that is left unresolved, in fact barely explored, which is slightly disappointing, but only because it's so fascinating that I wish there was more.
Acting is great all around. Particularly the villains: Miroslav Macháchek as the priest, casting a sinister and imposing shadow wherever he goes, and Cestmír Randa as the weasel like regent behind all the persecution. While Vít Olmer brings a charismatic leading man presence in his role as the miller's son Jan, in love with the lovely orphan girl Martina (Karla Chadimová), who becomes a dangerous object of rivalry between Jan and other young men of the village.
The film also features the evocative music of Zden?k Liška (perhaps the most prolific composer of the Czech New Wave). In this his second of eleven collaborations with Vlá?il, his compositions are used sparingly, but to great effect, complimenting but never overpowering a scene. The best example of which can be heard in an amazingly shot celebration and dance sequence at the end of the second act.
The Devil's Trap might not be a masterpiece, but it is still a strong effort, with a fascinating straightforward story and a glorious historical setting captured beautifully by Vlá?il's unmistakable visual prowess. A fine work that would also be the perfect starter plate to prepare yourself for the challenging feast of Marketa Lazarová or The Valley of the Bees. It even has an easy to digest running time. It's therefore puzzling why this gem remains largely overlooked and ignored.
同类型看完还是 四月三周两天 更好，这部有点白开水了。
要获得对身体的掌控权和绝对不止一种的人生选择。
还是《阳光普照》的路子，后面再拍一部，可以搞个家庭三部曲了，虽然这次的配乐换人了，但还是一股林生祥的味道。导演的朋友圈几乎都用上了吧，熟人们都来了，疫情期间拍的电影，疫情只是导演灵感的开始，其实是借疫情和隔离去讲人的状态，家人之间的关系，这对母女的关系其实早就隔离了很多年，只是借着疫情和心理疾病的壳子对面对问题。瀑布是老妈内心积压的情绪，最后释放成了洪水，把女儿直接卷走。用文艺的对白解释瀑布，像《阳光普照》的结尾那样，配上优美的配乐，太爱钟孟宏的这种感觉了。
It didn't have to be like this.
2022年5月3日，金斯伯格大法官生前所担忧的那样，美国推翻了罗伊诉韦德案。
当下的人们又有谁在牺牲和落泪，仍该叩问，仍该抗争。
看这部影片，一边对女孩的遭遇揪心，一边唾弃那些冷漠的旁观者。
我可以理解和接受她的忍痛割肉 每个女性都应该有处置自己和决定未来的权利
悟出了钟孟宏的套路：情节走向针锋相对的关键时刻插入风景空镜头以制造深沉感。
开头以贾静雯焦虑、失序、诡异的主观臆想起始勾画，随后就在母女俩正反打的叙事角度中迷失，紊乱、拖沓、乏味。
#SF film festival# 简单的故事，镜头语言和人物动作让人有很强代入感。为女性力量加一星
前半段真该拉去反矫组批一下，不过结尾我挺喜欢的。（菜头好帅，女主是照着文淇找的）
千言万语汇成一句踏马的。太太太太太疼了。全程围着女主转的镜头视角代入感非常强，几次堕胎片段跟着生理疼痛，第二次直接不自觉地咬紧了牙。最可怕的是，虽然看似合法化了，但片子中这件事背后的一切，都“正发生”。
同类题材的看过《四月三周两天》，宗教的力量，社会议论的力量，各种交错在一起，现实中的女主承受的更多，电影里无法全部展现。上个世纪六十年代，这样的故事放在中国感觉能成立，没想到，西方国家也是这个德性，也可能更厉害。
可以不要问我“你还好吗？” 我们一起好好地走下去/最后的落水看得我要心梗了！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！2022看的第二部好片
“总有一天我会要个孩子的，但不是以我整个人生为代价，那样的话我会恨那个孩子一辈子的，我可能永远都不会爱他" 看的一身冷汗，这是一种沉浸式的、彻头彻尾撕心裂肺的疼痛，最后一刻我仿佛也跟着女主角一起晕了过去，但最可怕的是这也许也是我们的未来，所以这样的片子很重要，很重要
“一种只会攻击女性的病，一种让他们变成家庭妇女的病。”
是不是为了呼应那个年代而采用了4:3画幅？故事情节流畅，很女性向的电影，女主蛮漂亮的
以肉体之痛外显女性遭受的精神压迫、文化戕害，最后一个突然的镜头下移特写，压抑许久的血腥一股脑喷涌而出，最大程度引起共情通感。用12周堕胎遭遇为引线，串联起禁锢在女性身上的日常枷锁。
没有太多新意但足够直接。画框、景别、调度无一不在加强逼仄感。片名起得极好。最棒的是那句台词：一种只攻击女人的病，把她们都变成家庭主妇。个人认为在第一幕的铺垫中需要强情节把女主逼向更无路可退的境地，结尾的高潮效果会更强烈。去年的这部金狮比金棕榈给得靠谱多了。
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