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Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator
Director's Spotlight: France
A Deep Dive into the 1934 Vision of Jacques Feyder
Witnessing the stylistic transformation of Drama through Le grand jeu reveals the provocative questions that Jacques Feyder poses to the France audience. Exploring the nuances of the human condition with Drama flair, it showcases the power of Drama as a tool for social commentary.
In Le grand jeu, Jacques Feyder pushes the boundaries of conventional narrative. The film's unique approach to its subject matter has sparked endless debates and interpretations among cinephiles and critics alike.
While deeply rooted in France, Le grand jeu has achieved a global reach, influencing directors from various backgrounds. Its ability to translate Drama tropes into a universal cinematic language is why it remains a cult staple decades after its 1934 release.
| Cinematography | Static |
| Soundtrack | Orchestral |
| Editing | Invisible |
| Art Direction | Kitsch |
Visualizing the convergence of Jacques Feyder's style and the core Drama narrative.
Pierre (Pierre Richard-Willm), a young lawyer, has enormous debts due to his mistress Florence (Marie Bell), and her whims of luxury life. Pierre has gone too far and put the family firm in jeopardy. They ask him to expatriate. To avoid scandal, Pierre joins the Foreign Legion. In Morocco, near the desert, Pierre goes with his comrades of the Legion to a bar-restaurant-brothel, owned by a shady character, Mr. Clement (Charles Vanel). Clement lives more or less with Ms.Blanche (Françoise Rosay) who is a fortune teller with cards, as a hobby. But Clement is also after his girls now and then. Pierre is still obsessed with Florence but he meets Irma (Marie Bell), one of Clement's girls, who is the double of Florence except for hair color. Irma has had an accident and has lost part of her memory at a certain point of her recent past, and Pierre slowly persuades himself she is Florence, but cannot remember it. Advised by Ms.Blanche, Irma finally accepts to act as if she was Florence because she is falling in love with Pierre. Near the end of his contract with the Legion, Pierre receives news from France. He has inherited a fortune. He asks Irma to come to France with him, and they make plans. But Clement tries to rape Irma and Pierre has to kill him.
Decades after its release, Le grand jeu remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Jacques Feyder's status as a master of the craft in France and beyond.