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.
爱情就像鲜花一样，也有保质期，好像世间万物都是如此。
这也太俗了，大学生相识先交换豆瓣账号，然后一个依然理想主义，一个为了生活去做打工人，于是分手了，但是隔壁影厅的伍迪艾伦四十五年前就拍过，人打个网球也会好上，即使没有理想主义生活所迫和有的没的也一样会分手的，伍迪艾伦还说了，爱会消散。
“我的人生目标，就是和你维持现状”
太，伤，了。所以说两个人，能相遇相爱相伴是概率多么低的一件事啊，不管是情投意合志趣相投，还是相敬如宾相濡以沫，都很难，不管是热烈还是舒服，都很难。
原来女主演过《垫底辣妹》，难怪她的笑容让我觉得这么似曾相识。因为的确完全是想象出来的完美爱情吧，所以最后也势必会被现实击碎，虽然无论是前半段还是后半段都有一些你用理性无法去解释的桥段，但是这毕竟就是文青编出来的美好想象嘛，只是既然都这么编了，不如编得彻底美好不是更好嘛～生活已经够苦了，就让我在电影里好好逃避一下呗。以及我很好奇，在日本找工作那么难的吗？要找好几个月？还有日本是真的小呀，异地恋这么方便的哇。最后，我对自己严格要求一下：脆脆，你要永远做个浪漫的人啊！
不如有声小说吧，这样可以减少很多尴尬的表演
在经历两次幸存的2021第一天，被皮克斯温柔安抚了，去他的梦想目标励志成功，认真踏实地过每一天，享受每一个喜欢的时刻才是人生的意义！最好的部分是实现目标后并无预料的欣喜，我要继续看天空树叶，享受夏日微醺的晚风，品尝提拉米苏在唇齿间融化的口感，不再理会自己是不是个loser！
【18/HKIFF45】ありがちな恋愛、一般來說看了也沒什麼用，但這一部麥和絹ありがちな恋愛，看看又何妨。兩個人的相遇的確浪漫，比起他們意氣相投的對話，我更愛他們的pair look。作為一個還沒放棄希望來任由社會無情榨取的人，覺得麥那些無意間說出口的話的確是有點「沒有心」，因為自己的夢想被剝削就說服絹甘願步他的後塵。雖然開始是結束的開始，但結束也是結束的結束或者說新的開始，花期會再來。聽到「クロノスタシス」的時候連我都有點激動了。在文化中心看到了蘇打氏的河田大貴臉我也算是有點開心的。配角陣容也像花束一樣很驚喜，細田佳央太x清原果耶我太可以了！
小朋友看的很高兴，我也很喜欢！皮克斯真是强，又一次照顾到了所有观众群，甚至连最挑剔的爵士乐迷群体对这片的喜好也是五五开哈哈哈。
b.本来这部上映在《短剧开始啦》之前，但因为国内的资源滞后，反而在《短剧开始啦》之后才看到，仿佛给那边的二人续了结局。
依然是我最爱的Pixar风格！排片很少但绝对绝对绝对值得一看！一味寻找生命的意义反而会成为禁锢自我的执念，享受活在当下的每一分钟也许就能找到属于自己的spark~视觉音效方面不用我多吹，Pixar就是最牛逼的！！爵士乐的钢琴声一流动起来，整个世界都亮了~另外本片编导一定对尼克斯队又爱又恨，常年看NBA的盆友们看到一定会笑出来。（除非你是尼克斯粉。）
好一碗陈年浓鸡汤，内核已经无法打动我了，然而美丽的画面叹为观止，大银幕看体验太好了。
哪里是短剧，这种扁平的伪soulmate写得实在讽刺，别拿共好数量来对标爱情浓度，完美无瑕的镜像人格当时有无感觉到刻意呢。消费堆砌起来的同甘是回甘，现实里不能共苦是捱苦。互相隔绝声音的那一幕酸涩至极，是体会到了对方替自己着想的心情了吗？还是体会到了以后依然不开心呢？对的爱情里快乐是不需要努力的，而这份对可能也有期限吧。
最后他们还是分手了
这两位，只有文化商品里的互相迷醉和药效消退 而没有相爱的身体。换句话说，只有轻巧的 书 影 音，没有对彼此真切残酷的 读 看 听。
可以允许你看阿基睡过去，但绝对绝对不可以在书店看成功学。
典型豆瓣crush组的恋爱啊。开始总是分分钟都妙不可言，谁都以为热情它永不会减。
但这没有错对，人都是会变的，你爱的对方永远都是现在的他和过去的他的组合，没有未来。
其实这两个人根本就是totally different的一对，同样的爱好只能代表同样的品味，而品味是被社会和消费主义建构出来的，其实全片中他们几乎没有什么真正触及灵魂深度的交流。明显女主是不认同自己父母那种世俗精英主义价值观的，但是他们俩竟然没有就这个问题讨论过。拜托，文艺青年居然没有在一起讨论过人生？？？那这个相似难免显得浅薄又标签化。
這……相對於這麼宏大的命題，實在太單薄了。翡翠白玉羹去掉那濃稠的味精芡，本來可以是鍋挺好的白菜豆腐湯的。不是本樂盲想把爵士抬得多高，但說起人生看開就上爵士，是不是有點太糊弄。再扣一星。
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