Bresson’s Oddball Debut: A Weird Little Comedy

Wait, this is Bresson?

If you go into Public Affairs expecting the slow, prayer-like precision of his later work, you’re going to be staring at your screen in complete confusion for twenty minutes. This isn't just a different filmmaker; it feels like a different universe entirely. It’s a messy, loud, and frankly kind of frantic slapstick comedy.

Is it worth watching? If you’re a film nerd who likes seeing the “before” photos of legendary directors, absolutely. If you want a coherent plot? Skip it. It’s for the curious souls who want to see a master of minimalism trying to juggle clowns, ship launches, and political chaos without dropping the ball. Mostly.

The whole thing centers on two fake countries, Crogandia and Miremia. They are basically just there to trip over their own feet. There is a statue unveiling that goes sideways, a boat that probably shouldn’t have left the dock, and a pilot who lands in the wrong place entirely. It’s classic farce, but it’s shot with this weird, nervous energy.

Some things I noticed:

• The clowns from the Cirque d'Hiver show up and it’s honestly the most Bresson-adjacent thing here because they don't say much.
• The editing feels like someone was drinking way too much coffee in the cutting room.
• The "statue" looks like it was made out of papier-mâché and a dream.

It’s a far cry from the quiet desperation of A Man of Sorrow or the heavy atmosphere you find in Sirocco. It lacks that heavy, crushing weight that makes those movies stay with you for weeks. Instead, it’s just fast. Maybe a little too fast.

I couldn't help but wonder if Bresson was trying to get all the silliness out of his system before settling into his usual groove. You can see him experimenting, but it’s like watching a tightrope walker decide to juggle chainsaws instead. It’s impressive, sure, but you’re mostly just waiting for someone to get hurt.

The film is incredibly thin. It’s barely a movie, really. It’s more like a series of sketches that someone stapled together. It’s not good, but it’s fascinating. It’s a strange, dusty footnote that feels like it shouldn't exist. Kind of like how I felt after watching Fireman, Save My Gal!—just a total fever dream of a different era. 🤡

Don't look for meaning here. There isn't any. Just watch the people in silly hats run around and try not to think about Pickpocket for an hour.