Description
Bresson on Bresson, Interviews 1943-1983
Book Summary
This volume gathers the most significant interviews granted by Robert Bresson over four decades, offering a direct and personal vision of his cinematographic thought. Far from being a simple compilation, the book functions as a work in itself, where Bresson himself shapes and refines his ideas about cinema, image, and sound. The reader will find the keys to his unique method, which would culminate in his celebrated 'Notes on the Cinematograph', making this testimony an essential source for understanding the radicalism and coherence of one of the most influential filmmakers of the 20th century.
What is it about?
The book collects a selection of interviews conducted with Robert Bresson between 1943 and 1983, organized chronologically. Through his responses, the filmmaker breaks down his creative process, from the conception of a film to the final edit. Bresson reflects on fundamental concepts of his film theory, such as the difference between traditional actor-based cinema and his model of "models," the importance of sound and silence, or the search for a pure and essential expression. The work allows one to follow the evolution of his thought and discover how many of the ideas he would later capture in his 'Notes on the Cinematograph' were first formulated and discussed in these conversations.
Main themes
- Theory of the cinematograph as an autonomous language versus theatrical cinema.
- The use of non-professional models and the directing of actors.
- The relationship between image, sound, and silence in film narrative.
- The editing process as the definitive writing of the film.
- The evolution of Bresson's aesthetic thought over four decades.
Who is it recommended for?
It is aimed at cinephiles, students, and film professionals interested in film theory and the work of one of the great masters in the history of cinema. It will also be of great value to artists and creators from other disciplines who seek a deep reflection on the creative process, the economy of means, and the search for essence in art. It is an essential read for those who are already familiar with 'Notes on the Cinematograph' and wish to delve deeper into the context and genesis of those ideas.
What this book offers
- Direct access to Robert Bresson's thought in his own voice, without intermediaries.
- Understanding of the origin and development of the ideas that make up his cinematograph theory.
- A chronological view that allows one to appreciate the coherence and evolution of his work method.
- Reference material for the analysis and study of his filmography.
- A primary source that contextualizes and enriches the reading of his 'Notes on the Cinematograph'.
Technical specifications
- Author: ROBERT BRESSON
- Publisher: INTERMEDIO
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: FILMS, CINEMA, FILM DIRECTORS AND FILMMAKERS, LITERARY ESSAYS
- Collection: INTERMEDIO LARGOS
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: October 2015
- Number of pages: 395
- Weight: 520 g
Editorial review
This work constitutes an exceptional testimony to enter the mind of Robert Bresson, offering first-hand material that transcends the mere interview to become a working document. Its value lies in the possibility of following the thread of a rigorous and coherent thought over time, making it an indispensable tool for the study of his cinema and film theory in general. For the reader interested in the essence of film language, this book represents a source of direct and revealing knowledge.