Lancelot of the Lake

A film about the decline of chivalry, symbolized by the downfall of some of its greatest legends: Arthur, Lancelot, and the Knights of the Round Table. In the opening passage, the true nature of the heroic deeds of these medieval heroes is revealed to us without hesitation – their battles are only futile bloodshed, and their noble goals (the Holy Grail) are merely false (because they do not exist) alibis for these atrocities. The film is about the demise of the chivalrous sense of nobility and duty, as the life of a true knight should be a generous service to his lord and duties. Lancelot fulfills his duty towards his lord at every moment, but the problem lies in the fact that he has multiple lords – his king, his virtuous lady, and his god. Lancelot, as a true knight, tries to fulfill his duty towards his lord at every moment, but he leaves it up to his decision, that is, his feelings, to determine which lord it will actually be. Instead of noble service to duty, there arises a tragic inner conflict between his passions and the sense of honor and commitment. Everything leads to the self-destruction of the knightly order, as best demonstrated by the death of Lancelot's best friend, Gawain. Symbolically, the final battle scene is a place of triumph for the infantry and archers... (20/08/2014)