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  3. Cinema, Film, TV, Drama

la force du film

English translation: the whole strength of the film lies in...

12:27 Feb 26, 2008
French to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Cinema, Film, TV, Drama / Mohsen Makhmalbaf - Le Mariage des Bénis
French term or phrase: la force du film
I don't think that this should be translated as 'strength' here (please correct me if I'm wrong), as this would imply that the critic is agreeing with the premise of the film (stated below), and I'm not sure that he/she is. At no point during the rest of the (long) article does he/she express a personal opinion on the political points Makhmalbaf is making.

'A la fin du film, Hâji déclare à Mehri : « Ton père vaincra la révolution de l’intérieur ». Et c’est bien la force du film que de mettre en scène cette gangrène dont la racine provient de ceux-là mêmes qui ont été les architectes et les soutiens de cette révolution et qui la détournent à leur profit, dévoyant les idéaux égalitaristes de la révolution islamique. Makhmalbaf n’a pas recours à la métaphore pour construire cette accusation, mais à des situations explicites, à de personnages archétypes et des dialogues littéraux.'

I have tried: 'This is the film's driving force/raison d'etre', but am not convinced.

Any good ideas?
Cath St Clair (X)
Spain
Local time: 14:30
English translation:the whole strength of the film lies in...
Explanation:
I rather think you can (and should!) use 'strength' here — I think talking about the way the film handles issues does not imply that the critic (or indeed the director, per se) is being parisan about them.

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Note added at 6 mins (2008-02-26 12:34:20 GMT)
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or perhaps 'the very strength of the film...' would be better

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 30 mins (2008-02-26 12:58:11 GMT)
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or "...lies in the way it..."
Selected response from:

Tony M
France
Local time: 15:30
Grading comment
'... lies in the the way it...' That's it! It was the 'ability' rather than the 'strength' that was the problem after all. Thanks, Tony ;)
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
2 +8the whole strength of the film lies in...
Tony M
2 +1this is what makes the film so compelling
suezen


  

Answers


10 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5 peer agreement (net): +1
this is what makes the film so compelling


Explanation:
one option

suezen
Local time: 15:30
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 28
Notes to answerer
Asker: This is a nice alternative - thanks - I will try it out.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tony M: And a jolly good one too!
7 mins
  -> thanks Tony :-)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5 peer agreement (net): +8
c'est bien la force du film
the whole strength of the film lies in...


Explanation:
I rather think you can (and should!) use 'strength' here — I think talking about the way the film handles issues does not imply that the critic (or indeed the director, per se) is being parisan about them.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 mins (2008-02-26 12:34:20 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

or perhaps 'the very strength of the film...' would be better

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 30 mins (2008-02-26 12:58:11 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

or "...lies in the way it..."

Tony M
France
Local time: 15:30
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 402
Grading comment
'... lies in the the way it...' That's it! It was the 'ability' rather than the 'strength' that was the problem after all. Thanks, Tony ;)
Notes to answerer
Asker: I think my problem is that whatever I come up with (including this), I seem to have to follow it with '...its ability to' - perhaps this is what makes it read as if the author is in agreement... ;) In any case, thanks - your wording is slightly different from mine and the subtle change may make all the difference - I will play with the suggestions for a while.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  CMJ_Trans (X): yes, I think the driving force etc is going too far
1 min
  -> Thanks, CMJ! Me too...
agree  Sandra Petch: Yes, and with your explanation.
4 mins
  -> Thanks, Sandra!
agree  John Peterson: I think using "lies in" helps a lot here. I can't see what's wrong with "strength", but if it is a problem you could use "impact" or "power"
4 mins
  -> Thanks, John! Yes, I think 'impact' could work very well too
agree  Gustavo Silva: always so modest and yet so right :-)
7 mins
  -> Thanks b Windblast — muxh appreciated!
agree  tatyana000
10 mins
  -> Thanks, Tatyana!
agree  Victoria Porter-Burns:
15 mins
  -> Thanks, Victoria!
agree  French Foodie: ditto what Sandra wrote
20 mins
  -> Thanks, Mara!
agree  Chantal Bilodeau (X)
2 hrs
  -> Merci, Chantal !
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