Publishing Transparency expanded their good little collection "cinephile" by a study on "Badlands" signed Ariane Gaudeaux. She who had been consecrated by Michel Chion in "The Thin Red Line" is unfortunately sold out at the moment - it had been previously published in English published by the BFI and English may still obtain it: The Thin Red Line. In any case, the transparency of the Editions come remedy a serious lack in terms of film studies in France, and their perseverance in a relatively small market is encouraging. Especially since this book then is of great value. Firstly because the paper itself and the quality of color reproduction is excellent. And of course primarily because the text is constantly relevant and interesting.
Ariane Gaudeaux offers descriptions that are already in the analysis, and analysis never lose sight of the material that actually appears on the screen. That is to say that is not appropriate here what is sometimes weighing in certain filmic analyzes that take the film as it is by far and sometimes tend to forget along the way, regardless of intelligence of the subject. Ariane Gaudeaux knows about all the aspects of the film that have already been studied extensively - the demystification of characters which Malick refuses Bonnie & Clyde glamor in relation to nature, through the special role of the voice and music. She returns to the way it was perceived at its output, as very violent - this is not the case at all - such as the title of one of the original articles on the film puts it very well, it This is a "gentle nightmare." And then there are sometimes surprising but always argued reconciliations, and ultimately very satisfying: with Antonioni Zabriskie Point; with The Wizard of Oz; and Alice in Wonderland.
In all, an accurate and well-written analysis impeccably illustrated, which will be a great first detailed reading for those who have ever read on this film, and will bring new and exciting insights to those who would already know the film well and what has written on it.
NB Translated originally in French by "Wild Ballad", stood out for its title has finally lost its second "l". Of course, the musical direction of "ballad" could defend for this film, but in fact it was simply a French error. Regulars period French title does not have to be formalized see "ride" written as everywhere now, including on the cover of this book and the new movie poster.
PS Since I am to acknowledge the work of the Transparency Editions, I remember they just edit the very ambitious (and excellent) book Sam Azulys: Stanley Kubrick: A philosophical odyssey. Long live the "small publishers" which offer works of this quality.
