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Contents © 2000
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.

UNDER THE SUN OF SATAN

Directed by Maurice Pialat. Starring Gerard Depardieu, Sandrine Bonnaire. 1987, 93 minutes, color, French with English subtitles. Available at Kensington Video.

Ernie: At the beginning, the older priest tells Donissan, "Nobody knows the monotony of sin the way a priest does." That sets up his battle with evil. The constancy of sin is troubling to him -- the question in his mind is, "Are people just evil?" The devil answers that, saying, "Look into my eyes, and you'll see yourself." It's as if he's saying, "You're created in my image and likeness, not God's."

Matthew: He seems like he mortifies himself because he's convinced of the supremacy of evil. He's trying to beat the evil out of himself instead of accepting God's will. That's how the older priest knows there is something wrong with Donissan's self-punishment. He says, 'You don't have peace, and God refuses His peace to no one."

Ernie: He's mistaken peace for complacency or leisure. He thinks a true priest of God shouldn't feel peace.

* * *

Ernie: When he asks for the miracle, he says, "Show me whose power is greater." He understands that Satan's power is real.

Matthew: He tested God there and when he repented of the test, saying, "I accept your will," God showed His hand. That was the turning point for Donissan; after that, he was free to be taken.