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Interpretations of the ending? (no spoilers in OP)
posté par rooprectSTAFFMOD le 19 mai 2024 à 22h29
It’s not often that a movie has a sudden twist ending that is both unexpected and very meaningful to the story. This is probably my favorite simply because I totally didn’t see it coming, even though it’s basically shown to us in the beginning.
Anyway, I just watched the Criterion bonus interview with a film historian where he said the ending caps the story as a life well lived, in other words a happy ending. But I don’t see that at all. I think the message at the end is that the main character failed, especially if we’re following the moral/spiritual implications (laid out in the scene where the old woman talks about having only 3 years to live but given 12 years by god for dedicating herself to her life’s mission).
To me, the message of the film is that it doesn’t necessarily matter what team you choose, in this case the Underground or the Party, as long as you choose something to dedicate yourself to, something to fight for, unlike the main character in the last 1/3 who doesn’t want to get involved either way.
Further contradicting the film historian’s happy ending theory, in the opening flash-forward scene the main character is shown screaming in horror. Not exactly happy ending material.
Or did I miss something? Anyone else agree or disagree with my interpretation?
Réponse de genplant29
le 19 mai 2024 à 23h10
I know absolutely nothing about this movie (other than what is stated in the TMDb overview, plus what you've shared in your OP), though it sounds interesting, and perhaps you're on to something!
Przypadek [Blind Chance] strikes me as being a movie I'd like to seek out at some point.
Réponse de rooprect
le 19 mai 2024 à 23h55
I highly recommend it! There’s tons to think about, like how a seemingly trivial event like catching/missing a train can lead to a completely different life.
It’s set against the backdrop of 70s postwar Poland which I’m not familiar with, but you don’t have to be politically informed to enjoy it. I’d love to know if you get the same meaning out of it that I did!
Réponse de genplant29
le 20 mai 2024 à 00h07
I'm half of Polish descent, have visited Poland (was during the final months before the fall of Communism there), long have felt strongly connected to that side of my heritage and to all things Polish, liked the handful or so of Polish films I have seen throughout the years, so have no doubt I'd be interested.
Réponse de rooprect
le 20 mai 2024 à 12h54
Very cool! I'm learning through cinema that there's a ton of interesting history tied to prewar & postwar Poland. Everything from the Occupation (To Be or Not to Be, 1947) to the Communist years (Cold War, 2018) to this film which takes us up to the fall of Communism. And there's also Kieslowski's Double Life of Veronique which is right after the fall.
Even now I'd say Poland is facing a historic time in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Poland being the only buffer left. All of this has turned me from a casual Kieslowski fan to true admirer because he managed to document everything that was going on in the latter half of the 20th century. Bummer that he's not around to offer a cinematic commentary on the state of Poland today, but I'm sure younger filmmakers will be on it.