One day, German producer, Regina Ziegler said to herself; "Eroticism! What a concept!" Thus the idea for a series of twelve short films, known collectively as "The Erotic Tales", was hatched. Ziegler proceeded to recruit top-notch directors from around the world and asked them to each create a short study of eroticism. First unveiled at Cannes in 1996, the films have gone on to draw in crowds at over 60 international film festivals. 0f these short films, I have finally decided on a definite favourite, "Devilish Education".
Written and directed by Polish/German filmmaker, Janusz Majewski, it is the tale of Malgosia (Renata Dancewicz), a young, farm village milkmaid, in what appears to be late 18th or early 19th century Europe. While being stalked by a ominous, shadow-like entity as she tends to her cows in the pasture, she meets a black-clad, sketch artist (Marek Kondrat) who draws charcoal sketches of her naked. She agrees to meet him in the pasture again the next day and, when they make their second rendezvous, Malgosia's education begins.
The artist begins slowly by using his sketches to show Malgosia how beautiful she is and that she need never be bashful. He inquires as to why she covered her breasts and crotch when she thought she'd been spied skinny dipping in a pond, and rebutes her answer by commenting that they are also the more sensitive parts of the body, then proceeds to prove this. As the affair continues, it soon becomes obvious that the black-clad artist is more that he appears.
He prepares full course meals, complete with proper place settings, king sized beds covered with the linens of kings, he even takes her to the opera, all within the confines of the meadow. While discussing fish forks, proper table etiquette and wine, Malgosia mentions the church's feasts. The mere mention of the village priest disgust the artist, and it becomes apparent exactly who the artist is.
Malgosia's mother catches her reading a "book with no pictures" and instantly demands to know who is teaching her to read. When Malgosia refuses her mother's demands she is sent to the village priest to give confession, and after a trip to the doctor the actual physical existence of her lover becomes an enigma.
The film is beautifully shot and the classical score adds the final touch to a masterpiece of erotic film work. This film is Majewski's attempt at answering the question that has been pondered by poets, authors, painters and artists all throughout history, "What is erotic?" Many of us may chuckle at the idea of a virgin milkmaid fornicating with Satan, and I imagine many of us have seen films or read books where the situation is handled in, shall we say, a less delicate fashion?
The long and the short of it is, this film is beautiful, not smutty, not filthy. Majewski has brought us into the world of a young maiden, trapped inside the uncouth and uncultured confines of a small farming village. She has no basis to set her womanhood upon but that of the village hags who are content to shovel shit for the rest of their lives. The artist gives her a glimpse to another world where she is not only a woman, but a lady as well.
Baron's six shooter …
6 slugs outta 6
by Baron Cameron (2000)
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