It's Gradiva Who Is Calling You
An English historian travels to Morocco to work on a study of the painter Delacroix. He hears of a rare series of engravings and embarks on a search for them that takes him through the mysterious streets of the ancient medina. He becomes obsessed with the figure of a beautiful blond woman dressed in white that he sees there. but it appears that she may have died years before.
Insights
Plot Summary
A lonely antique dealer becomes obsessed with a mysterious woman whose portrait he finds in a small shop. He believes she is the same woman who inspired Wilhelm Jensen's novella 'Gradiva', a subject of fascination for Sigmund Freud. Driven by this delusion, he embarks on a quest to find her, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.
Critical Reception
Alain Resnais's later works often explore memory, love, and obsession, and 'It's Gradiva Who Is Calling You' is no exception. The film received mixed to positive reviews, with critics praising Resnais's distinct visual style and the performances of his lead actors. Some found the narrative somewhat elusive, while others appreciated its contemplative and artistic approach to complex psychological themes.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its dreamlike atmosphere and Resnais's signature directorial touch.
- The performances of Azéma and Dussollier are noted as compelling.
- Some viewers found the plot to be abstract and difficult to follow.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this film is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The film is inspired by the novella 'Gradiva' by Wilhelm Jensen, which was famously analyzed by Sigmund Freud in his 1907 essay 'Delusions and Dreams in Jensen's Gradiva'.
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