From Buñuel to de Oliveira
from my Camera Musica Youtube collection.
Note how one commenter compares this Dovrak movement
with Grieg's Anitra's Dance (from Peer Gynt), and I respond to him.
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Dvorak's Symphony No. 8 in G major, Allegretto grazioso was playing throughout Maneol de Oliveira's 2006 "Belle Toujours", with scenes of Paris floating by at night (mostly). De Oliveira is a Portuguese filmmaker, but like all artists, he quotes other artists. In this case, it is Buñuel's 1967 "Belle de Jour." In fact, de Oliveira ingeniously resumes "Belle de Jour" by reintroducing the two lead characters several decades later.
The old man, now in his late seventies, is clearly enjoying life with his cigars and whisky. But, the woman (played in Buñuel's film by the beautiful Catherine Deneuve) has ended up bitter and wary. She was the one who became a prostitute to overcome her frigidity. She now talks about going to a convent, surely to repent of her past sins.
I have this very Dvorak movement in my music Youtube, Camera Musica, and it was a pleasure to hear it in such a lovely little film (only an hour long). The music fit perfectly, especially with the male character’s light-hearted ways, and his clear enjoyment at teasing the woman with memories of the past.
De Oliveira likes sumptuousness, and this film is certainly luxurious, with the rich internal decors of hotels and restaurants.
