sun 12 sept | 2.00pm

The Raven

France | 1943 | b&w | 93 mins | dir. Henri-Georges Clouzot, with Pierre Fresnay, Ginette Leclerc, Pierre Larquey | cert. PG | in French with English subtitles

Against the backdrop of a small, seemingly charming provincial town, a web of malicious accusations is woven through a series of poison-pen letters signed 'Le Corbeau'. The letters denounce several high profile members of society and create a wave of hysteria. The first victim is the village doctor (Pierre Fresney), but soon the whole community becomes unsettled as more and more letters continue to surface.

Henri-George Clouzot's noir thriller is undoubtedly a masterpiece of suspense.

 

sun 19 sept | 2.00pm

The Rules of the Game

France | 1939 | b&w | 110 mins | dir. Jean Renoir, with Marcel Dalio, Nora Gregor, Roland Toutain | cert. PG | in French with English subtitles

Amore, a young man, decides to spend a weekend shooting with his friend Octave out in a country mansion. Sexual and social tensions break through the surface of a lavish weekend party during their visit. Jean Renoir's classic portrayal of the French bourgeoisie of the 1930's mocks the class notions of love and incorporates elements of farce, comedy and tragedy. One of cinema's undisputed classics.

 

'The film presents a hilarious yet melancholic picture of a nation riven by petty class distinctions' (Time Out)

sun 26 sept | 2.00pm

A Man and A Woman

France | 1966 | b&w/col | 102 mins | dir. Claude Lelouch, with Anouk Aimée, Jean-Louis Trintignant | cert. PG | in French with English subtitles

A script-girl is unconsolable after the death of her stuntman husband. Whilst visiting Deauville she meets a racing driver Jean-Louis Duroc (Jean-Louis Trintignant) whose desperately unhappy wife has committed suicide. They fall for each other and support each other, letting themselves find love once again. Winner of two Oscars (one for Best Foreign Film) and the 1966 Palme d'Or, this charming, free-wheeling love story made the international reputation of director Claude Lelouch and also gave birth to the catchy 'chabadabada' theme tune.