PeaceBang

"Antonia’s Line"

antonias line
Originally uploaded by Peacebang.

This is such a wonderful film that I just caught on the new gay cable channel, LOGO. I’ve already written too many posts today so I won’t bore you with a real review, but trust me: this you want to see.

There are so many preachable moments in it; so many great philosophical lines.
It features a brooding existentialist character named Crooked Finger who, when informed of his young female friend’s unintentional pregnancy, takes on the most tragic expression you can imagine.

“How can you even imagine committing the cold-blooded crime of bringing another life into this world?” he asks her.
Take THAT, right-to-lifers!

This is one of those lovely films about small village life that intermingles the real beauty, the real horror and the real love that are part of it, but without taking on an overly dark or overly sweetsie-pie tone.

This ain’t no Mayberry, but it’s not Peyton Place, either.

“Is there a heaven?” asks little Sarah.
Her great-grandmother firmly responds, without breaking her stride, “This is the only dance we do.”

At another simply poignant moment, young Therese breaks down crying while studying philosophy with Crooked Finger. Holding her in his arms, he croons these comforting words:

“This life is hell. It’s populated with demons and tormented souls.”

She is somehow comforted, and so was I. The perfect antitode to too much cheery Channing theology.

I probably don’t have to mention that this is a Scandanavian film.