Watch The Fire That Burns For Free
The Fire That Burns
Two boys in their early teens in a strictly-run pre-WWII Catholic School form a firm friendship which is troubled by an abbot who is obsessed with the younger of the students.
Release : | 1997 |
Rating : | 7.2 |
Studio : | France 2 Cinéma, |
Crew : | Director, Producer, |
Cast : | Christophe Malavoy Michel Aumont Naël Marandin Clément Van Den Bergh Pierre-Arnaud Juin |
Genre : | Drama |
Watch Trailer
Cast List
Related Movies
Reviews
Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!
One of my all time favorites.
Best movie of this year hands down!
A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
A combination of Bad Education and Les Amities Particulieres in that it involves a triangle of two students at a religious boarding school in 1950's France and a priest who views the older one as a rival. That an older boy or a priest would love a boy is a subject not only tolerated but openly discussed, accepted, and philosophized about to a point that would be impossible in this day and age. It is truly remarkable in that respect.One would think it would be a tender man who would fall in love with a boy, but the priest shows himself to be quite the emotional sadist. His straying from God's work is brought to light by the Superior who has been observing all along. How is it possible such a man could stray so far is something we are left wondering in an appropriately unsatisfying ending. It is nevertheless highly recommended.Excellent performance by the older boy Sevrais (Nael Marandin) and the evil, boy-loving priest de Pradts (Christophe Malavoy).
This is a small, slow-paced, poised, beautiful movie only the French can make. Of course, the old buildings, paint-flaking doors, and the sounds of the French language help to set the tone.It is about childhood and priesthood, friendship and love, honesty and lack of malice, and how a religious, heterosexist culture can mess them up. It is worth watching even if you don't buy the whole catholic/theological argumentation (I don't).It also alludes to the oft-pointed fact that the Church - while despising same-sex love/sex - has been a safe haven for those God-fearing individuals who cannot act/feel otherwise.Enjoy!
When it comes to an overall impression of this film, amid an organized story and compellingly emotional performances, it is still not absolutely satisfying, for it loses its grip when the film ends.The story mainly depicts the relationships of two friends of quite an age difference and a priest in a strictly-run boarding school. It is a movie that takes the subtle approach when tackling sensitive topics. The film uses characters of difficult purposes and thoughts to discuss "love", and the difference between a healthy friendship and a improper one.The subtlety sets in when ideas are sometimes expressed vaguely through the kind of talk you would expect from priests. The religious overtone veils the story as the plot nears its end, with relatively lengthy scenes of half-debate and half-reflection, bringing to movie to a closure. The ending is quite abrupt, though I account it challenging to end it any other way."The Fire that Burns" is along the lines of relationships and forbidden feelings, with religious overtones and philosophical as well as moral concerns. It is a simple story, but with an incredible depth of sentimental strength.
This story of a priest scrutinizing the close friendship of two young boys in a highly-religious, regulated catholic school, was well treated and in tune with the author's book. The poised and repressed sentiments lead to a slow, uneventful movie that succeeds however in getting its point across. A nice tableau of a time not so far away.