LES ANGES DU PÉCHÉ

(1943) Too feisty for her devoted-to-rehabilitation convent, novice Renée Faure takes on convict Jany Holt (“a superbly understated performance” – Dave Kehr) as her special project, with drastic results for both and for Holt’s ex-lover — but ultimately is there mutual redemption? Bresson’s astonishingly assured first feature, with dialogue by playwright Jean Giraudoux. 

REVIEWS

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“ONE OF THE MOST ASTONISHING FILM DEBUTS EVER.
Rarely have the seemingly opposite worlds of the spiritual and the erotic received such sublime, ennobling treatment.”
– David Thompson, Time Out (London)

"The spiritual themes—confession, absolution, salvation—are explored through visual and dramatic paradoxes, as Bresson draws parallels between a life in prison and a life in God, and finds his final image of freedom in a pair of handcuffs. Jany Holt's superbly understated performance as the prisoner looks forward to the invisible acting style of Bresson's mature work."
– Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader