Roberto Rossellini's "Open Door." Yes, it's - tinear - Films/DVD Asylum

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Roberto Rossellini's "Open Door." Yes, it's

preachy and doctrinaire in parts, but it would descend into complete fatalism if they were eliminated.
Rossellini took a few serious historical liberties, as well. The priest in the film was a courageous figure, yes, but the record of the Roman Catholic Church during WWII hardly was one of support of any resistance movement. The portrayal of several hideous characters as homosexual unthinkingly is cruel: the Nazis murdered many people for their sexual identities, alone.
I couldn't help thinking that, as brave as all the resistance fighters in France and Italy were... their actions had zero impact on the war's outcome.
This film, nonetheless, is one of the most powerful indictments of war and repression ever filmed.
The ending of the film SPOILER COMIN' is one of the most bleak possible: all the heroes have been murdered and a child, deprived of both parents, and a step-father, witnesses the execution of his last adult caretaker, the last person who loves him.
The "Open," I'd presume, refers to the fact that there is no shelter, no safe haven left for him... or Italian society.
From this film, the alienation of Antonioni's vision seems ordained, inescapable.
Side note:
I was led to think of the US occupation of Iraq during, ironically, a German officer's speech wherein he mused how the Nazis were creating many enemies, no matter how "noble" the attempt to spread a superior ideology, by filling so many European graves.
The torture scenes, without showing any actual acts, are terrifying. Yes, I was reminded of Abu Ghraib, rendering, and Gitmo.
Funny how great works of art always are topical.

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Topic - Roberto Rossellini's "Open Door." Yes, it's - tinear 16:41:31 02/20/07 (11)

Re: Roberto Rossellini's "Open Door." Yes, it's - jamesgarvin 07:26:41 02/21/07 (10)

Re: Roberto Rossellini's "Open Door." Yes, it's - patrickU 08:23:32 02/21/07 (4)

Re: Roberto Rossellini's "Open Door." Yes, it's - jamesgarvin 09:22:26 02/21/07 (3)

Re: Roberto Rossellini's "Open Door." Yes, it's - patrickU 01:20:40 02/22/07 (0)

Re: Roberto Rossellini's "Open Door." Yes, it's - patrickU 01:18:35 02/22/07 (0)

Re: Roberto Rossellini's "Open Door." Yes, it's - patrickU 09:28:04 02/21/07 (0)

Ah, always a pound where a pence would do. You need to look up - tinear 07:54:03 02/21/07 (4)

Re: Ah, always a pound where a pence would do. You need to look up - jamesgarvin 09:33:39 02/21/07 (3)

What a quibbler! The Mona Lisa's smile is less mysterious or interesting today? - tinear 10:55:09 02/21/07 (2)

Re: What a quibbler! The Mona Lisa's smile is less mysterious or interesting today? - jamesgarvin 12:59:58 02/21/07 (1)

I just want to reply so your post may be preserved for posterity. nt - tinear 17:23:32 02/21/07 (0)

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