Jean-Pierre Melville is a French noir master, and his most recent masterpiece Le Doulos, was made in 1996. Directors Jacques Deray, Alain Corneau, Georges Lautner, Rene Clement, Claude Sautet made amazing movies starring actors like Alain Delon, Lino Ventura, Romy Schneider and Mirielle Darc. For three whole days the American Cinematheque will be showing French crime thrillers/noirs by these guys, and you can definitely catch Melville's Second Breath and Deray's The Swimming Pool.
Many of these films were inspired by American gangster movies and detective novels, and share the same seedy and inspired world with them.
The Thursday, November 1st program is a 7:30 PM Double Feature. First up is the ultra rare film Second Breath (Le Deuxieme Souffle)from 1966, directed by Jean-Pierre Melville. Next on the same bill is a screening of a restored 35 mm print of Bob le Flambeur from 1955, also by Melville. It's one of the greatest crime films ever made and a landmark in French cinema.
The Friday, November 2nd program is a 7:30 PM Double Feature. First up is a screening of Borsalino from 1970,directed by Jaqces Deray.
Next on the same bill is a screening of The Swimming Pool (La Piscine) from 1969 also by Deray.
The Sunday, November 4th program is a 7:30 PM screening of Crooks in Clover from 1963 by Geroges Lautner.
None of these films are available on DVD, and they are all restored prints. Amazing!
Here's the info for attending:
American Cinematheque at the
Max Palevsky Aero Theatre
1328 Montana Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(at 14th Street)
24-Hour Recorded Information: 323.466.FILM
www.aerotheatre.com
You can bet I'll be there. Will you?
