Au hasard Balthazar
d. Robert Bresson, 1966
Robert Bresson's Au hasard Balthazar is a dense, 90 minute look at the human condition. Bresson is able to find a way to explore this subject in a new and fundamentally fascinating way. The entire film revolves around the life of a donkey, Balthazar, and the different owners it has throughout its life. Another important character is Marie, his first owner, a weak girl whose story mirrors Balthazar.
Throughout Au hasard Balthazar, the donkey is abused and treated badly by most of its owners. The kind of message a viewer gets by looking at Balthazar's eyes is that of a creature who acknowledges his fate, and concedes to the fact that it is beyond his control. Bleak as this picture may be, it is certainly something that is easily noticed.
The difference between the donkey and the human characters of the film (particularly Marie) is the fact that the latter are intelligent enough to maybe understand their fate. However, Breson also argues that intelligence does not help in terms of controlling that fate. All in all, the universe will do with you what it wishes to.
Ultimately, the film paints a pretty sad picture of human life. Yet, Au hasard Balthazar still leaves room for hope. That hope comes from empathy and being able to share this human experience with others. Not facing it alone is surely better than the otherwise lonely path. That, according to Bresson, is the best tool humans have against despair.
