Since joining Netflix I am averaging a new movie or two a week. Well, not really new, because my selections have included mostly old classics and foreign films.
The foreign films are intriguing, but this evening's selection proved to be hilarious, and it was not a comedy. I think it was aiming for mildy amusing, though it is a 1984 film. In Jean de Florette two men scheme to acquire a neighboring farm by preventing a natural spring from flowing, a water source that the new owner, Jean (Gerard Depardieu) needs for his crops. BTW, don't you just love saying Gerard Depardieu's name?!
But something funny happened in the English sub-titled version. I'm sure that some things should be universally understood as the sound is not off, so in addition to English sub-titles for the French conversation, the following was put onto the screen for our viewing edification:
Rooster crowing.
Clattering.
Whistling.
Chicken clucking.
Snoring.
Grunts.
Men laughing.
Bell Ringing.
Goat bleating.
Shushing.
Goat bleating.
Creaking.
Playing harmonica.
Water splashing.
Indistinct chatter.
Exhales.
Seriously! After the first few showed up on the movie, I had to grab a pen and take notes. I've never minded subtitles, but this was . . . just too much!! I don't know whether to just laugh it off, or be seriously offended. The French always seem to look down their noses at us . . . how would you put a subtitle on that: superior sneer?
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