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Pastoral Symphony

Name: Pastoral Symphony
Director: Jean Delannoy
Released: 1946
Duration: 110 min

Representation Score

4.0/10

Limited

1946

Approved

Director

Jean Delannoy

Runtime

110 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Pastoral Symphony is a character-driven film focusing on social transgressions and personal impulses. It offers a nuanced portrayal of a disabled protagonist, giving her emotional independence without falling into simplistic stereotypes. However, the film remains confined to a homogeneous European society, lacking representation of racial diversity or LGBTQ+ identities. While it challenges traditional gender roles, it does so within a narrow cultural framework.

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Category Breakdown

Does Pastoral Symphony have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses entirely on heterosexual relationships and does not depict any non-straight or non-cisgender identities.

How does Pastoral Symphony portray gender?

Fair

The story centers around a woman's pursuit of desire, challenging the traditional submissive roles of women in the mid-20th century.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Pastoral Symphony?

Minimal

The cast is ethnically uniform, reflecting the 1940s rural French setting. The film does not address racial diversity or include actors from non-European backgrounds.

How does Pastoral Symphony represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story examines subjective morality and the decline of traditional institutions, but remains within a traditional European context without broader critiques.

Does Pastoral Symphony include disability representation?

Fair

A blind female character serves as the main narrative perspective. Her disability is woven into her emotional journey rather than being used just for sympathy.

Present on Screen

The film treats the protagonist's blindness with emotional depth rather than pity.
It challenges traditional gender hierarchies through the female lead's pursuit of autonomy.
The narrative explores complex ethical dilemmas rather than rigid moral codes.

Limited or Absent

The cast lacks racial and ethnic diversity, reflecting a limited geographical scope.
There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer perspectives.
The setting lacks broader critiques of Western or capitalist institutions.

Official Synopsis

On Christmas Eve, Swiss minister Jean Martens takes in a blind, half-crippled orphan and brings her up among his own four children. But Gertrude grows into a woman and Jean gradually falls in love with her without admitting it to himself. On the contrary, he lulls his conscience by interpreting the Scriptures to his advantage. But neither his wife nor his oldest son are fooled. Following a long-delayed operation, Gertrude recovers her sight but she is not long to find out that sin has corrupted the soul of her benefactor.

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