Beauty and the Beast Movie Diary -- Paris Series

Author: Cocteau (French), translated by Wang Tian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: For all film enthusiasts, reading the shooting diary of Beauty and the Beast is purely a mesmerizing experience. Though time has passed, the charm of this article remains undiminished—whether in its poetic intensity or in its candid display of the film's perspective. More precisely, it is a film that opens its heart. Beauty and the Beast is clearly a unique film, shot during a special period in French cinematic history, as well as a special period in French history—just after the country had been liberated. During those difficult times, basic resources like electricity were often scarce. Beauty and the Beast largely represents an incredible blend of technology and poetry. This diary possesses absolute modernity and an astonishing sense of time. The films of our era are often filled with special effects achieved through trendy digital machines and numerous post-production techniques to achieve perfection; the shooting of Beauty and the Beast, however, takes us back to the artisanal period of filmmaking, which is highly technical but always dominated by poetry. Cocteau demonstrates an extreme rigor—first and foremost toward himself. This work ethic and approach are something that filmmakers of the 21st century must explore and learn. Every film is a test, and it is through such tests that beauty is born. We need to read and reread this diary, not just to learn from the experience, but also to draw inspiration from it, ensuring that Cocteau's noble and endeavor is preserved for eternity.