Movie spotlight
Geratzite
Gaffer Yordan the Gerak is a wealthy farmer with a large family. The Geraks live in harmony as long as his wife is alive. After her death, disagreement and strife erupt among them. Two of the sons, Bozhan and Peter, demand the partition of their father's real estate. The third son, Pavel, who is doing his military service in the town, has become estranged from the land and from his family. When Pavel returns home only to ask money from his father, Gaffer Yordan discovers that he has been robbed. His sons trade accusations and come to blows. Pavel goes back to his mistress in the city. Elka, Pavel's wife, falls ill with a venereal disease she has contracted from his husband. On a dark and stormy night Elka is about to drown herself in the river when the Gerak's old farmhand takes her back home. Before long, Elka dies, as does Gaffer Yordan. Bozhan fells the centenarian pine tree in the yard of the family home, which symbolized the patriarchal ways of the Geraks.
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Plot Summary
In a small French town, a seemingly happily married schoolmaster becomes entangled with the wife of a wealthy industrialist. When the industrialist is found dead, suspicion falls on the schoolmaster and his lover, leading to a complex investigation that uncovers dark secrets and a twisted plot.
Critical Reception
Le Corbeau, also known as "The Raven" or "Geratzite", is a highly regarded French thriller known for its suspenseful atmosphere and moral ambiguity. While controversial upon its release for its cynical portrayal of small-town life and wartime collaboration, it is now considered a classic of French cinema, praised for its psychological depth and Clouzot's masterful direction.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its taut suspense and complex characters.
Recognized for its dark and cynical exploration of human nature.
Considered a masterful example of French noir and psychological thriller.
Google audience: Audience reviews for 'Geratzite' are generally positive, with many appreciating its gripping narrative and unsettling atmosphere. Viewers often commend the film's suspenseful pacing and the strong performances of its cast.
Fun Fact
Upon its initial release, "Le Corbeau" was banned by the Vichy regime and its distribution was restricted for years due to its controversial portrayal of collaboration and denunciation during the Occupation of France.
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