The Films Of Marcel Pagnol
Pagnol is known as one of the greatest storytellers of the screen. His films not only evoke the unique atmosphere, life and culture of the Provence region of Southern France in the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, but are also marked by the depth of the characters whose everyday lives inspire comic and tragic situations. The writings and life of Marcel Pagnol have been a massive influence on today’s filmmakers and responsible, at least in part, for the popularity of ‘Proven?al’ cinema, such as Claude Berri’s MANON DES SOURCES and JEAN DE FLORETTE.
Each screening will be supported by programme notes.
Mon 25 May & Thu 28 May
HARVEST (PG)
Director: Marcel Pagnol. Starring: Orane Demazis, Fernandel, Marguerite Moreno. France 1937. Subtitles. B & W.
A young poacher and a vagrant girl bring life to a remote village in Pagnol’s powerful adaptation of Jean Giono’s novel about regeneration.
Mon 25, Tue 26, Fri 29 & Sun 31 May
MARIUS (PG)
Director: Marcel Pagnol. Starring: Raimu and Orane Demazis. France 1931. 130 mins. Subtitles. B & W.
Pagnol’s debut in cinema was as director and screenwriter of a trilogy of films. The first was MARIUS based on his own highly successful play. The action mostly unfolds on the Marseilles waterfront at the Bar de la Marine which is owned by the loveable Cesar. His son, Marius, finds the lure of the sea stronger than his love for Fanny. The characters are wonderfully brought to life with many comic episodes, giving the film great vibrancy and warmth.
Tue 26, Wed 27, Fri 29 & Sat 30 May
FANNY (PG)
Director: Marcel Pagnol. Starring: Raimu, Pierre Fresnay, Orane Demazis. France 1932. 142 mins. Subtitles. B & W.
FANNY follows on exactly from where MARIUS ends and retains the same vitality, humour and depth of character. The performances are entrancing, while Pagnol’s dialogue is remarkable for its comic force.
Wed 27, Thu 28 & Sat 30 May
CESAR (PG)
Director: Marcel Pagnol. Starring: Raimu, Orane Demazis, Fernand Charpin. France 1936. Subtitles. B & W.
In CESAR, the last of the trilogy, we move some twenty years on from MARIUS. More of the action was shot on location and there is some cross-cutting, but its most admirable qualities remain the delicious dialogue and Raimu’s masterly performance in the role of CESAR.
