MovieChat Forums > Le fils (2002) Discussion > crosses to bear

crosses to bear

posted 14 years ago by rolypolyoly176
4 replies | jump to latest

On the carpenter-Christ theme, another powerful image from the film is that of the carrying of the wood planks over one shoulder - like so many images of Christ carrying his cross. The man and boy carry them separately, and then near the end they carry a single larger one together - as if, instead of each having his own "cross to bear," they are coming closer to the realization that they are both sharing the same burden.
I don't think I explained this very well, but I think you get the drift.

[–] edgegrip17th 13 years ago

Plus Jesus was a carpenter.

[–] PoppyTransfusion 12 years ago

Your point is made: they going from harbouring their own inner turmoils from the murder of Oliver's son, to sharing the burden this has in each of their lives.

I'm a fountain of blood
In the shape of a girl

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] PoppyTransfusion 10 years ago

I like the idea of geometry of the soul. I recall hearing once a discussion on the elements of wood and water. It was on the BBC's Radio 4 - I forget the context of the discussion exactly but it was part of a science feature on the station. Anyway, water is more primitive than wood; wood contains water. The boy can, most probably, not cry to lament his grief for his victim and his 14-year old self that committed such an act. By working with wood he can, perhaps, fashion something within which he can release his wateriness. This may sound weird but the imagery that you describe within the film suggests this as a way of approaching the emotional plot of the film and its characters.

Movement ends, intent continues;
Intent ends, spirit continues