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Paradigma

  • 1985
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
77
YOUR RATING
Paradigma (1985)
DramaMystery

An unsuspecting student thinks that the wife of an arms dealer is unhappy, but in reality she appears as cynical as her capitalist man.An unsuspecting student thinks that the wife of an arms dealer is unhappy, but in reality she appears as cynical as her capitalist man.An unsuspecting student thinks that the wife of an arms dealer is unhappy, but in reality she appears as cynical as her capitalist man.

  • Director
    • Krzysztof Zanussi
  • Writer
    • Krzysztof Zanussi
  • Stars
    • Benjamin Völz
    • Vittorio Gassman
    • Marie-Christine Barrault
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    77
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Krzysztof Zanussi
    • Writer
      • Krzysztof Zanussi
    • Stars
      • Benjamin Völz
      • Vittorio Gassman
      • Marie-Christine Barrault
    • 1User review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Photos

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    Top cast

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    Benjamin Völz
    Benjamin Völz
    • Hubert
    Vittorio Gassman
    Vittorio Gassman
    • Gottfried
    Marie-Christine Barrault
    Marie-Christine Barrault
    • Sylvie
    Erika Wackernagel
    • Mutter
    Hans Marquardt
    • Alexander
    • (as Hans-Werner Marquardt)
    Hark Bohm
    Hark Bohm
    • Notar
    Jan Biczycki
    • Bettler
    Eugeniusz Priwieziencew
    Eugeniusz Priwieziencew
    • Sekretär
    • (as Eugeniusz Priwiezienziew)
    Martin Umbach
    Martin Umbach
    • Rezeptionist
    Wlodzimierz Press
    Wlodzimierz Press
    • Gottfrieds Arzt
    • (as Vladimir Press)
    Maria Klippert-Wullinger
    • Krankenschwester
    Annemarie Neuhaus
    • Frau
    Mariusz Pujszo
    Mariusz Pujszo
    • Arbeiter
    • (as Mariosz Pujszo)
    Hervé Bellon
    • Arzt
    Raf Vallone
    Raf Vallone
    • Laboratory director
    Valeria Antinelli
    Pierre Belot
    Cinzia de Ponti
    Cinzia de Ponti
    • Director
      • Krzysztof Zanussi
    • Writer
      • Krzysztof Zanussi
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    User reviews1

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    The power of evil
    The French title is "Le Pouvoir Du Mal" (= power of evil)

    PLot: after stopping Sylvie from committing suicide ,Hubert,a theology student ,,becomes her lover ;pregnant by him,she finally comes to term with it ;but the lack of money urges the young man to ask Gottfried ,a wealthy arms manufacturer;he's actually his lover's husband and he has a heart condition ...

    One of "paradigm" meanings applies to the movie:"A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline."

    Although the love triangle and the husband's heart condition are often found in the thriller genre,we deal here with philosophical drama:Hubert studies theology ,abortion is an abomination to his eyes ,and ,like Rousseau,he thinks that man is naturally good and it's the society which corrupts him ;in direct contrast with that,we have Gottfried who works for destruction and (legal?) murder :he once helped Hubert to pay his studies,but this time his pleas fall on dead ears .To this aging potentate,evil is present in every human being ,and he has free will .In the face of such cynicism,the young guy feels helpless .Expiation is the only way to solve his dilemma,but this ending has something pointless,even Bunuelesque.

    Set in the twenties with seasoned actors(Gassmann,Barrault and even Vallone in a small part) ,this Franco-Italian production is downright depressing :can evil lead you to liberty?
    helpful•4
    1
    • dbdumonteil
    • Apr 4, 2017

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • August 1985 (Canada)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • West Germany
      • Italy
    • Language
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Power of Evil
    • Production companies
      • Maki Films
      • Pierson Productions
      • TF1 Films Production
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      2 hours
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo

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