Dominique Sanda, Just 17, Embodies a Troubled Young Wife

Considered the pinnacle of Dostoevsky's short stories, "A Gentle Woman: A Fantastic Story" explores the meaning of love through the relationship of an older man and his much younger wife. Bresson, while adhering to the original plot, boldly transposed the story's setting from Russia to Paris in the late 1960s, creating his own interpretation, "A Gentle Woman."

This film is also notable as Bresson's first color production, a departure from his signature monochrome aesthetic. Since its release in Japan in 1986, the film has had very few screenings and has never been released on home video, making this digital remastered edition a precious revival.



The role of the lonely woman is played by Dominique Sanda, who was only 17 at the time. Discovered by Bresson while working as a model for Vogue magazine, this marked her film debut. Sanda, who herself had married an older man at 15 and divorced a few months later, delivers a remarkable performance as a woman who, despite her youth, torments and struggles with her older husband.

What are the Husband's Thoughts When He Notices the Change in His Wife's Gaze?

A middle-aged pawnbroker recalls his first encounter with his wife, whom he says looked about 16. He meets a young, beautiful woman, poor but bringing in items like cheap cameras and crucifixes to pawn. He persuades her to marry him.

Their married life appears to be simple yet progressing smoothly. However, when the husband notices a shift in his wife's gaze, jealousy and anxiety begin to stir within him.

The narrative unfolds with an extreme emphasis on dialogue, driven by the gazes exchanged between the man and the woman. It meticulously portrays the emotional shifts and subtle misunderstandings that arise between the couple, posing fundamental questions about marriage and love.

A Gentle Woman
Opening April 4th (Saturday) at Shinjuku Musashinokan and other cinemas nationwide.
Directed and Screenplay by Robert Bresson
Starring Dominique Sanda, Guy Frangin
Distribution: Copiapoa Film
1969 / France / 89 minutes
http://mermaidfilms.co.jp/yasashii2015/