September 2013 - Fall into Classics
Tuesday 3rd - Beauty and the Beast (La belle et la bête)
Jean Cocteau
Synopsis: A beautiful young woman takes her father's place as the prisoner of a mysterious beast, who wishes to marry her. .Directed and written by Jean Cocteau Released in 1946 Starring Jean Marais, Josette Day, Mila Parély 93 min. | In French with English subtitles “For many people, Jean Cocteau's 1946 version of "Beauty and the Beast" is the loveliest film ever made and one of the few that we wish we could go back in time to see again for the very first time. […] Although he is faithful to a child's eye view of fairy tales, his film is filled with surreal visions & sly humour for adult appreciation.” Movie Magazine International Click on the picture to see the trailer ! |
Tuesday 10th – The Earrings of Madame de… (Madame de…)
Max Ophüls
Synopsis:
Countess Louise sells the earrings her husband gave her on her wedding day to cover a gambling debt. She pretends to have lost them as to hide her secret, however, her husband, a wealthy, important General soon discovers her deceit. He purchases the earrings back and gives them to his mistress, who sells them on to an Italian Baron, who in turn gives the earrings to Countess Louise as a courting gift... Directed by Max Ophüls Written by Louise de Vilmorin and Marcel Achard Released in 1953 Starring Charles Boyer, Danielle Darrieux & Vittorio De Sica 105 min. | In French with English subtitles “A product of Ophüls's European homecoming, and widely regarded as his masterpiece, 1953's "The Earrings of Madame de…" expresses the ardors of love within a fluid framework of exquisite technique. Ophüls sends his attentive, ceaselessly mobile cameras through twinkling Belle Époque decor and multilevel sets, directing suavely contained performances from his actors.” The New York Sun Click on the picture to see the trailer ! |
Tuesday 17th – French Cancan
Jean Renoir
Synopsis:
This comedy drama from Jean Renoir chronicles the revival of Paris' most notorious dance as it tells the story of a theater producer who turns a humble washerwoman into a star at the Moulin Rouge. Directed by Jean Renoir Written by Jean Renoir, André-Paul Antoine Released in 1954 Starring Jean Gabin, Françoise Arnoul & Maria Félix 102 min. | In French with English subtitles “Unashamedly nostalgic and somewhat meandering but chock full of colour and affection for its characters. You are also unlikely to see a better dance routine than the final riotous cancan, brilliantly reconstructed, like the rest of the film” Evening Standard Click on the picture to see the trailer ! |
Tuesday 24th – Belle de Jour
Luis Buñuel
Synopsis:
A frigid young housewife decides to spend her midweek afternoons as a prostitute. Directed by Luis Buñuel Written by Joseph Kessel & Luis Buñuel Released in 1967 Starring Catherine Deneuve, Jean Sorel, Michel Piccoli 101 min. | In French with English subtitles "A wise, enormously enjoyable film about the power of fantasy -- a toast to the importance of dreams." San Francisco Chronicle Click on the picture to see the trailer ! |