Querelle (1982)
Franco Nero: Lieutenant Seblon
Photos
Quotes
-
Lieutenant Seblon : We have Jesus to thank that we are able to glorify humility, for He made it the sign of the divine. The godhead in our innermost depths. For why should we renounce the violence of this world? If this Godhead is to confront violence, then it must be strong if it is to achieve the victory. And humility can only be born of humiliation. Otherwise it is nothing but vanity.
-
[first lines]
Lieutenant Seblon : The thought of murder often evokes thoughts of the sea and of sailors. What naturally follows thoughts of the sea and murder is the thought of love or sexuality.
-
Lieutenant Seblon : Querelle's great passion is his own body in repose. It is as if he's reflecting himself in his own image. He's looking at himself as if through a magnifying glass. He's scrutinizing the minute events like an etymologist. But how shining is his body in the glory of his proud movements?
-
Lieutenant Seblon : Once I have suffered the solitude caused by my peculiarity long enough. It may be that naked I will hold these boys, who shatter me with their audacity and strength, against my body. Though I hardly dare believe it. With tears in my eyes, I thank God for granting me this bliss. My tears soften me. I melt with their wetness on my cheeks. I toss. I roll in waves of tenderness for these boys and their hard, shallow cheeks.
-
Lieutenant Seblon : From the time I fell in love with Querelle, I've become less of a disciplinarian. My love makes me softer. The more I love Querelle, the more gentle and definite, the sadder the woman in myself becomes; because, she cannot achieve fulfillment. During one of these strange revelations, defining my relationship with Querelle, I think amidst all these sorrows and inner defeats: "What's the point?"
-
Lieutenant Seblon : Perhaps love is a den of killers, and if this is true - will Querelle draw me into it? And I? When the time comes for me to drown in my emotion for Querelle - will there be an alarm ringing for me?
