Around a Small Mountain (2009) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A returning woman confronts an unresolved past as a traveling circus struggles to stage its act and an outsider becomes drawn into its unsettled world.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Circus Draws Him In

A solitary traveler reaches a small circus, asks to see the show, and takes a room. He becomes involved in the circus's disorganized preparations, including a dangerous-sounding bullet-catching routine.

Key Events

• A Traveler Reaches the Circus — A solitary traveler arrives at the circus and starts a conversation with one of its people. Characters: Vittorio Location: A small circus
• An Invitation to the Show — Curious about the show, the traveler asks for a seat and is invited to attend. Characters: Vittorio Location: A small circus
• The Traveler Takes a Room — The traveler takes a room and becomes involved in the circus's chaotic work. Characters: Vittorio Location: A room near the circus
• The Bullet Catching Routine — A performer fires a revolver while a volunteer is expected to catch the bullet and spit it onto a plate. Characters: Vittorio, Tom Location: The circus performance area
• Tom Fears the Routine — Tom is frightened by the dangerous-sounding routine. Characters: Tom Location: The circus performance area
• Failed Volunteer Attempts — Repeated attempts to involve people in the act lead to broken plates, arguments, and confusion. Characters: Vittorio Location: The circus performance area

Kate Revisits an Old Wound

Kate returns after a long absence and seeks to understand her past, including questions about her father. Her conversation about an old family story shows that the hurt remains unresolved.

Key Events

• A Search for Helpers — Vittorio keeps trying to recruit helpers, including an unemployed man. Characters: Vittorio Location: The circus
• Kate Returns After Years Away — Kate has returned after a long absence and tries to understand her past. Characters: Kate Location: The circus
• Questions About Her Father — Kate asks about her father while seeking answers about her past. Characters: Kate Location: The circus
• An Old Family Wound — Kate confronts someone close to her about the pain left by an old family story. Characters: Kate Location: The circus

Two Lives in Motion

Kate and Vittorio discuss unsettled lives and the reasons people keep moving. Kate maintains that her work and life are in Paris, while Vittorio's interest remains unclear to her.

Key Events

• Unsettled Lives Discussed — Kate and Vittorio discuss their unsettled lives and why people keep moving. Characters: Kate, Vittorio Location: The circus
• Kate Insists on Paris — Kate says her work and life are in Paris, despite her return to the circus. Characters: Kate, Vittorio Location: The circus

A Troubled Act Takes Shape

The circus connects Kate's unresolved past to a proposed act intended to shock her. When Marlo cannot perform, Wilfrid is chosen as his replacement and Alexandre pushes for an audience-pleasing opening.

Key Events

• Kate's Past Shapes the Act — Kate is described as a prisoner of what happened and as needing a shock. Characters: Kate, Vittorio Location: The circus
• Wilfrid Replaces Marlo — When Marlo cannot perform, the circus decides Wilfrid should replace him. Characters: Wilfrid, Alexandre Location: The circus
• Alexandre Pushes the Opening — Alexandre pushes to stage an opening that the audience likes. Characters: Alexandre, Wilfrid Location: The circus

Rehearsal Without Resolution

Vittorio resists joining the act, but others urge him to help Kate and the show. The rehearsal remains disorderly as he tries to calm an angry volunteer; the available account ends before the act's outcome is known.

Key Events

• Vittorio Is Urged to Help — Vittorio resists taking part, while others urge him to help Kate and the show. Characters: Vittorio, Kate, Alexandre Location: The circus
• Disorderly Rehearsal — Vittorio tries to calm an angry volunteer and persuade him to sit in the chair. Characters: Vittorio, Wilfrid Location: The circus performance area

Story Breakdown

• The Traveler Arrives — A solitary traveler encounters the circus and gradually becomes involved in its work.
  • Circus Encounter — The traveler arrives and speaks with one of the circus people.
  • Show Invitation — Curiosity leads him to ask for a seat and attend the performance.
• A Dangerous Routine — A bullet-catching act and its repeated attempts to find a volunteer create fear and disorder.
  • Bullet And Plate — The routine calls for a volunteer to catch a fired bullet and spit it onto a plate.
  • Broken Plates — Attempts to involve people lead to arguments and comic confusion.
• Kate Returns — Kate comes back after a long absence and tries to make sense of her history.
  • Questions About Her Father — She asks about her father while searching for answers about her past.
  • Unhealed Family Pain — She confronts someone close to her about the pain of an old family story.
• Kate And Vittorio — Their conversations reveal different perspectives on movement, belonging, and uncertain motives.
  • Unsettled Lives — They talk about why people keep moving and about their unsettled lives.
  • Paris As Her Home — Kate insists that her work and life are in Paris.
• The Proposed Act — The circus connects Kate's painful past to an act intended to shock her.
  • A Prisoner Of The Past — Kate is described as trapped by what happened and in need of a shock.
  • Wilfrid Replaces Marlo — When Marlo cannot perform, Wilfrid is selected to take his place.
• An Unfinished Rehearsal — The circus tries to prepare its opening, but the rehearsal remains confused and the outcome is not given.
  • Alexandre's Opening — Alexandre pushes to stage an opening the audience will like.
  • Vittorio Calms The Volunteer — Vittorio resists participating, then tries to calm an angry volunteer and persuade him to sit in the chair.

Directed by

Jacques Rivette

Key Cast

• Jane Birkin — Kate
• Sergio Castellitto — Vittorio
• André Marcon — Alexandre
• Jacques Bonnaffé — Mario
• Julie-Marie Parmentier — Clémence