Pierrot the Madman is a 1965 French New Wave film directed by Jean-Luc Godard, starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Anna Carina. The film is adapted from Lionel White's novel "Stubbornness", which tells the story of a pair of lovers on the run. The film is considered one of Godard's masterpieces, showing his unique film style and aesthetic concepts.
The protagonist of the film is Ferdinand, a middle-class man who is not satisfied with a mediocre life, who remeets his ex-girlfriend Mariana, a mysterious and attractive woman, at a party. They decide to leave everything behind and flee Paris together, embarking on a journey full of adventure and danger.
They wander the countryside and seaside in the south of France, encountering all kinds of people and things, including gangsters, arms dealers, American directors, etc. They also experience the joys and pains of love, and eventually come to a tragic end.
What matters is not the plot of the film, what matters is how Godard uses the language of cinema to express his views on life, art and politics. The film is full of Godard's personal imprints, such as improvisation, jumping, voiceover, the fourth wall, pop art, etc.
The film is also full of references and tributes to popular culture and film history, such as American film noir, Italian comedy, French poetry, etc. The film is also full of reflections and criticisms of the social realities of the time, such as the Algerian war, consumerism, capitalism, etc.
The theme of the film is Pierrot the madman, a rebel who is unwilling to succumb to social norms and pressures, a romantic who seeks freedom and authenticity, and a being who expresses himself through art. He is Godard's own embodiment and his challenge to moviegoers. He asked, "Why don't you resist?" He said: "I don't know what movies are, I only know what life is. He finally said, "I'm not crazy, I just don't want to be a slave." ”
"Pierrot the Madman" is a film with deep meaning and strong personality, which shows Godard's exploration and innovation of film art, as well as his attitude and emotions towards the world and himself. It is a film worth watching and thinking about repeatedly, and it is also a film that can resonate and reflect on the audience. It is a UFO and an immortal classic.