LE JOUR SE LEVE (’39): Legendary example of poetic realism, with Jean Gabin holed up after a murder, revealing how he got there thru series of flashbacks. Gabin breaks the cool scale. Tough life, passing on Arletty to pine for Jacqueline Laurent, who couldn’t be more ethereal. No shortage of atmosphere. That last scene is incredible, and really sticks with you. (Bonus: naked Arletty! How dare you censor that, Vichy government.) #frenchfilm #30sfilms #poeticrealism

Marcel Carné's Hôtel du Nord (1938), a perfect example of 1930s French film noir (or poetic realism). A young couple decide to spend their last night on Earth in a cheap hotel in Paris.

A superb movie that works on both an intellectual and emotional level.

My review: https://dfordoom-movieramblings.blogspot.com/2010/03/hotel-du-nord-1938.html

#MarcelCarne #classicmovies #classicmovie #1930smovie #FrenchCinema #filmnoir #poeticrealism #frenchmovie #frenchmovies

Port of Shadows (1938) - Carné
I just died in your arms tonight….#marcelcarne, #jeangabin #michelemorgan #poeticrealism #frenchcinema

Pierre shoots Renee in the heart, in a double suicide attempt, flees from their room of the fateful hotel. Renee recovers and gets a job at the hotel and visits Pierre in jail. The young lovers dream of a second chance while gangster Edmond gets sweet on Renee. It’s one of those ‘I just died in your arms tonight’ old French movies that were hated by The French New Wavers. But Hotel du Nord is way too good and beautiful to be disregarded as a fluff.
#poeticrealism #marcelcarne #frenchcinema