The Thirties: The Golden Age of French Cinema Patricia L. Pecoy, Ph.D. MLL 235

Between Two Crises Economic and political crises Economic and political crises Crash on Wall Street(1929) Crash on Wall Street(1929) Industrial production declines and unemployment Industrial production declines and unemployment The government is unable to manage the deficit The government is unable to manage the deficit 1934 – Demonstrations by the extreme right – 15 deaths 1934 – Demonstrations by the extreme right – 15 deaths Fearing the fascism of the extreme right, the left Fearing the fascism of the extreme right, the left 1936 – The Popular Front (an alliance of the center and the left wing political parties) comes to power 1936 – The Popular Front (an alliance of the center and the left wing political parties) comes to power

The Popular Front Goal: To say “NO” to fascism Goal: To say “NO” to fascism Supports the system of unions Supports the system of unions Reduces the work week to 40 hours Reduces the work week to 40 hours Awards two weeks of paid vacation to all employees Awards two weeks of paid vacation to all employees Léon Blum Premier Ministre

The Popular Front The Popular Front is in power for only two years (1936 – 1938) The Popular Front is in power for only two years (1936 – 1938) This government has always been associated with its emphasis on social and political rights for the least powerful members of society This government has always been associated with its emphasis on social and political rights for the least powerful members of society

Leisure Time = Vacation A new industry – tourism - develops A new industry – tourism - develops On the big screen, the favorite destinations for vacations are often presented On the big screen, the favorite destinations for vacations are often presented The characters (working class) speak incessantly about vacationing at the seashore The characters (working class) speak incessantly about vacationing at the seashore Une Partie de campagne (Jean Renoir, 1936) Une Partie de campagne (Jean Renoir, 1936) A picnic in the country A picnic in the country

Waiting for War France is surrounded by Fascist governments France is surrounded by Fascist governments Moussolini in Italy Moussolini in Italy Hitler in Germany Hitler in Germany Franco in Spain Franco in Spain The Munich Agreements (1938) The Munich Agreements (1938) Recognize the annexation of a part of Czechoslovakia by Hitler Recognize the annexation of a part of Czechoslovakia by Hitler Provokes a general strike which marks the end of the Popular Front Provokes a general strike which marks the end of the Popular Front

1939 Hitler invades Poland (an ally of France) Hitler invades Poland (an ally of France) War is declared against Germany and France mobilizes its army War is declared against Germany and France mobilizes its army For 10 months almost nothing happens as France awaits the arrival of the German army For 10 months almost nothing happens as France awaits the arrival of the German army In 1940, Germany invades France which falls immediately under the control of the Nazis In 1940, Germany invades France which falls immediately under the control of the Nazis The Occupation begins The Occupation begins

The Cinema of the Thirties: The Golden Age of French Cinema The economic crisis of 1929 results in the failure of the great French studios The economic crisis of 1929 results in the failure of the great French studios However, independent producers However, independent producers A small group of directors will dominate French cinema for nearly 20 years A small group of directors will dominate French cinema for nearly 20 years

The Directors of the Golden Age La vie est à nous (1936 Goupi mains rouges (1943) Casque d’or (1952) Touchez pas au grisbi (1954) Le trou (1960) Jacques Becker

The Directors of the Golden Age Sous les toits de Paris (1930) Le Million (1931) A nous la liberté (1931) Quatorze juillet (1933) René Clair

The Directors of the Golden Age Le Quai des brumes (1938) Le Quai des brumes (1938) Hôtel du Nord (1938) Hôtel du Nord (1938) Le Jour se lève (1939) Le Jour se lève (1939) Les Visiteurs du soir (1942) Les Visiteurs du soir (1942) Les Enfants du paradis (1945) Les Enfants du paradis (1945) Thérèse Raquin (1953) Thérèse Raquin (1953) Marcel Carné

The Directors of the Golden Age La trilogie La trilogie Marius (1931) Marius (1931) Fanny (1932) Fanny (1932) César (1936) César (1936) Manon des sources (1953) Manon des sources (1953) Jean de Florette (1986) Jean de Florette (1986) Marcel Pagnol

Directors of the Golden Age Madame Bovary (1933) Partie de campagne (1936) Le crime de Monsieur Lang (1936) La vie est à nous (1936) La Grande illusion (1937 La Marseillaise (1938) La Bête humaine (1938) La règle du jeu (1939) Jean Renoir