A Man Escaped Analysis

A Man Escaped (1956)

Written & Directed by: Robert Bresson

Best Director at Cannes Film Festival 1957.

The film is set in German occupied France during the World War-II, the plot, the characters of the film are simple and minimalist. A man, Fontaine wants to escape from the prison and even though we have some characters around him, the movie is entirely centered on the protagonist. There is understandably extensive usage of voice over, because this film is about a man's psychology when he is in that state of mind, when he is even ready to kill people just to be able to get out. In spite of the simplistic plot and few characters, the film explores heavy themes. The subject matter of this film is relevant even till date. If you look at it from the perspective of, risking your life and getting killed in the worst case being better than just living for some more time. This is what differentiates him from the other characters, he is a non-conformist. The idea is, what are you risking anyway? A few more months of your miserable life?

Robert Bresson is known for using non-professional actors and draining them emotionally by doing extensive rehearsals to point that they can't emote anymore and then he captures them. For me, this film wouldn't have changed if he was caught and shot dead in the end, that would've also justified the title to me. I see this film as he escaping from the misery of life, it can either be salvation or finding redemption in death. This film is devoid of any poetic expressions and imagery. This film can be a provocation for people with revolutionary ideologies. I'm yet to watch Robert Bresson's Pickpocket.