MovieChat Forums > Cet obscur objet du désir (1977) Discussion > The meaning of the sack

The meaning of the sack

posted 9 years ago by aldiboronti
1 reply | jump to latest

Bunuel was an avid reader of the early Church Fathers (see The Milky Way, for instance) and without a doubt knew of the comment expressed by several divines, notably Bishop Odo of Cluny, a 9th century French cleric, that to embrace a woman was to embrace a sack of manure. The valet even says this in the film, attributing it to 'a friend'.

Fernando Rey spends much of the movie toting a bag of excrement around or leaving it with others, clearly representing his mistress, the absolutely infuriating Conchita.

[–] udippel 8 years ago

I don't think what you say is quite true. Yes, the sack is what you write, but Fernando Rey is *not* carrying the bag around for any period longer than a few seconds. And often, the sack is carried by someone else. I also didn't see the scene when Conchita made a scene for him carrying around that bag.

The sack is a nice company to their relationship, though, even if visible for seconds only here and there, and serves several purposes. Probably, like you presume, representing Conchita. But then watch, how little he cares, like when he says he'll pick it up later.