The Idiot = 2 Films Seen This Weekend + Your thoughts ?

[Pumpernickel]

Hi! I'm a newby here, so hello to you all ! (~_^)

I'm from São Paulo, Brazil. SP is the 6th largest city in the world, and one of the great advantages it has -- as many other big cities elsewhere -- is the diversity of its cultural life.

Close to my house there is this wonderful 'Cinemateca', in an old and very large well-preserved buiding, that brings all sorts of Film Shows and Festivals. This past week they were showing several films grouped as "Russian Readings" and I saw 2 versions of Dostoevsky's "The Idiot":

On Saturday I saw a great 1946 French production by Georges Lampin, with Edwige Feulière, Lucien Coëdel and Jean Debucourt.

And yesterday I saw a 1958 Russian production by Ivan Pyriev, with Yuri Yakovlev, Yuliya Borisova, Nikita Podgornyj and Vera Pashennaya, which was also very good.

I liked the French version better, though. First because I understand French, and second because I'm sure that much of what was said in Russian was never translated as people would exchange 2 or 3 sentences and the subtitles would bring just one. Also because the French version was in beauuutiful black and white whereas the Russian one had this redish color in the whole film that made people -- most of all -- look weird.

I came home and started reading the book , which I have had for some time now , but never got round to. (o.0) The same old problem we all have : so much to read and so little time...

The funny thing is : I've only read the first 50 pages so far, but I can already see that despite the lousy translation and subtitles, the Russian version was closer to the book !

At any rate, if those of you who have read The Idiot feel like posting anything on it , I'd love to read your opinions !

[Melissa_W Moderator]

Is this the same Pumpernickel from the old BNU? If it is, you are so NOT a newbie!! Welcome back!

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Pumpernickel wrote:
Hi! I'm a newby here, so hello to you all ! (~_^)

I'm from São Paulo, Brazil. SP is the 6th largest city in the world, and one of the great advantages it has -- as many other big cities elsewhere -- is the diversity of its cultural life.

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[Pumpernickel]

Hi!

Oh, BUHLieeve me; (o.0) I do feel like a newby here, as this has changed SO much it looks like a different planet ! (~_^) Heh.

But YOU had a different nick there, didn't you ? Amazing... I must have a very poor memory for nicks in this crazy Web, sorry (-.-) ! (0__0) BUT : Good that you recognized me !

[Melissa_W Moderator]

I'm still Melissa W. Choisya's here, and Laurel, Ziki, Kathy H, Danielle...lot's more.