The Seashell and the Clergyman main backdrop
The Seashell and the Clergyman main poster

The Seashell and the Clergyman

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6.7/10 • 65

1928-02-090h 41m

FantasyDrama

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

Directors
Germaine Dulac
Writters
Antonin Artaud, Germaine Dulac

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Alex Allin

    Alex Allin

    Le clergyman

  2. Genica Athanasiou

    Genica Athanasiou

    La femme du général

  3. Lucien Bataille

    Lucien Bataille

    Le général

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Jun 6, 2022

7/10

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....

Media

  • The Seashell and the Clergyman poster
  • The Seashell and the Clergyman poster
  • The Seashell and the Clergyman poster
  • The Seashell and the Clergyman poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
French
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
sexual obsessionsexual frustrationsurrealismlustavant-gardesilent filmcatholic priestwoman directorfrench impressionismexperimental film