/* Button Overrides to fix text colors */ .btn, .btn-danger, .btn-outline-light { color: white !important; text-decoration: none !important; } .btn i, .btn-danger i, .btn-outline-light i { color: inherit !important; } .hero-content .btn, .hero-content a.btn, .hero-content button.btn { color: white !important; } /* Cast Section Styling */ .cast-card-link { text-decoration: none !important; color: white !important; transition: transform 0.3s ease; display: block; } .cast-card { transition: all 0.3s ease; border: none; overflow: hidden; box-shadow: 0 5px 15px rgba(0,0,0,0.2); border-radius: 10px; height: 100%; } .cast-card:hover { transform: translateY(-8px); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(229, 9, 20, 0.3); } .cast-img { height: 240px; object-fit: cover; transition: transform 0.5s ease; } .cast-card:hover .cast-img { transform: scale(1.1); } .cast-placeholder { height: 240px; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; background: linear-gradient(145deg, #333, #222); } .character-prefix { opacity: 0.7; font-style: italic; margin-right: 2px; } .cast-scroll { padding: 10px 5px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: #444 #222; } .cast-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar { height: 8px; } .cast-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar-track { background: #222; border-radius: 10px; } .cast-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { background: #444; border-radius: 10px; } .cast-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb:hover { background: #e50914; } .view-all-cast { font-size: 0.9rem; padding: 5px 12px; border-radius: 20px; transition: all 0.3s ease; } .view-all-cast:hover { background-color: #e50914; border-color: #e50914; } .cast-overlay { position: absolute; bottom: 0; left: 0; right: 0; height: 0; background: linear-gradient(to top, rgba(0,0,0,0.8) 0%, rgba(0,0,0,0) 100%); display: flex; align-items: flex-end; justify-content: center; padding-bottom: 12px; overflow: hidden; transition: height 0.3s ease; } .cast-card:hover .cast-overlay { height: 80px; } .view-profile-btn { font-size: 0.85rem; font-weight: 500; background-color: rgba(229, 9, 20, 0.8); color: white; padding: 5px 10px; border-radius: 20px; opacity: 0; transform: translateY(20px); transition: all 0.3s ease 0.1s; } .cast-card:hover .view-profile-btn { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); } /* Movie Hero Section */ .movie-hero { position: relative; background-size: cover; background-position: center; min-height: 500px; display: flex; align-items: flex-end; } /* Ensure all text is visible on dark background */ .container, .card-body, .card-text, h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, p, .small, .text-muted { color: #fff !important; } .text-muted { color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7) !important; } /* Cast section specific styling */ .card-title, .card-text { color: #fff !important; text-shadow: 1px 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .card { background-color: rgba(33, 37, 41, 0.8) !important; } /* Link styling */ a { color: #e50914 !important; } a:hover { color: #ff3d46 !important; text-decoration: none; } /* Exception for buttons and special links */ a.btn, .btn a, a.text-white, a .text-white, .hero-content a { color: #fff !important; } /* Review section */ .review-form { background-color: rgba(33, 37, 41, 0.8); padding: 20px; border-radius: 5px; } .movie-hero .overlay { background: linear-gradient(to top, rgba(0,0,0,0.9), rgba(0,0,0,0.1)); width: 100%; padding: 60px; } .movie-hero-wrapper { position: relative; width: 100vw; height: auto; aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; overflow: hidden; background: #000; } /* Background Image Effects */ .movie-hero-bg { position: absolute; inset: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; opacity: 0; filter: blur(20px); transition: opacity 2.2s ease, filter 2.2s ease; z-index: 0; } .movie-hero-bg.loaded { opacity: 1; filter: blur(0); } .movie-hero-overlay { z-index: 1; background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); backdrop-filter: blur(3px); } .hero-overlay { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(0,0,0,0.65), rgba(0,0,0,0.85)); z-index: 1; pointer-events: none; /* Ensures the overlay doesn't interfere with clicks */ } .hero-content { z-index: 2; position: relative; /* Ensures content is above the overlay */ } /* Hero content specific styling */ .hero-content .display-4 { font-weight: 700; color: #fff; letter-spacing: -0.5px; } .hero-content .lead { font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.7; } .hero-content .badge { font-weight: 500; } .hero-btn { box-shadow: 0 4px 15px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4); transition: all 0.3s ease; color: white !important; } .hero-btn:hover { transform: translateY(-2px); box-shadow: 0 6px 20px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .hero-btn i { color: white !important; } .btn-danger { color: white !important; } .btn-danger i { color: white !important; } /* Backdrop Effects */ .backdrop-wrapper { position: absolute; inset: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; overflow: hidden; z-index: 0; } .backdrop-blur, .backdrop-full { position: absolute; inset: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; display: block; } .backdrop-blur { filter: blur(20px); transform: scale(1.05); transition: opacity 1s ease; z-index: 0; } .backdrop-full { opacity: 0; transition: opacity 1.5s ease; z-index: 1; } .backdrop-full.loaded { opacity: 1; } /* Scrolling Wrapper */ .scrolling-wrapper { scroll-snap-type: x mandatory; -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .scrolling-wrapper > .card { scroll-snap-align: start; } /* Section Styling */ section.bg-dark, section.bg-black { border-top: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1); } /* Text Effects */ .text-shadow { text-shadow: 1px 1px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; } h1, .movie-title, .movie-hero h1 { text-shadow: 2px 2px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); } .text-shadow-strong { text-shadow: 2px 2px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1) !important; } /* Badge Styling */ .badge.rounded-pill { font-size: 0.9rem; padding: 0.6em 1em; transition: background-color 0.2s; } .badge.rounded-pill:hover { background-color: #e50914; color: #fff; } /* YouTube Effects */ .youtube-backdrop { opacity: 0; transition: opacity 0.3s ease-in-out; } Skip to content
Backdrop preview The Old Sorceress & the Valet backdrop
The Old Sorceress & the Valet

The Old Sorceress & the Valet (1987)

Oct 07, 1987

An old couple, Eugenie and Armand, have been living in Paris since 1921 part of the wave of post-war immigration from Martinique. Eugenie, a former dancer with Josephine Baker's Black Revue has become a professional quimboiseuse (practising black magic) for a white clientele. Armand who had been a servant is retired. Now they are both old and bitter and still quarreling with each other. One day they set out, arm-in-arm for a last promenade in the metropolis.

Directed by Julius-Amédée Laou

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Julius-Amédée Laou

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Thematic Analysis

The Old Sorceress & the Valet represents a fascinating example of cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.

Director Julius-Amédée Laou brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1987, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of The Old Sorceress & the Valet took approximately 15 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The screenplay went through 5 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
  • The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
  • Some visual effects sequences took up to 10 months to complete.

Historical Context

  • In 1987, when this film was released:
  • Economic policies were shifting toward deregulation in many Western countries.
  • The Cold War was entering its final phase.
  • Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.

How This Film Stands Out

Details

  • Release Date: October 7, 1987

Where to Watch

Criterion Channel

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