#802: RIVETTE, Jacques: Paris Belongs To Us (1961)

RIVETTE, Jacques (France)
Paris Belongs To Us [1961]
Spine #802
Blu-ray

One of the original critics turned filmmakers who helped jump-start the French New Wave, Jacques Rivette began shooting his debut feature in 1958, well before that cinema revolution officially kicked off with The 400 Blows and Breathless. Ultimately released in 1961, the rich and mysterious Paris Belongs to Us offers some of the radical flavor that would define the movement, with a particularly Rivettian twist. The film follows a young literature student who befriends the members of a loose-knit group of twentysomethings in Paris, united by the apparent suicide of an acquaintance. Suffused with a lingering post-World War II disillusionment while also evincing the playfulness and fascination with theatrical performance and conspiracy that would become hallmarks for the director, Paris Belongs to Us marked the provocative start to a brilliant directorial career.

141 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
in French
1:37:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2016
Director/Writers


Screenplay by Jacques Rivette and Jean Gruault.
Rivette was 33 when he directed Paris Belongs To Us.

Other Rivette films in the Collection:

#1069: Céline And Julie Go Boating (1974)

The Film

A

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Twelve-page wraparound featuring an essay by critic Luc Sante.

Commentary

None.

Interview

With Richard Neupert, author of A History of the French New Wave Cinema

Rivette’s 1956 short film

Le coup du berger, featuring cameos by fellow French New Wave directors Claude Chabrol, Jean-Luc Godard, and François Truffaut.

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Complete Criterion Collection By Spine #

#331: OZU, Yasujiro: Late Spring (1949)

#304: ROEG, Nicolas: The Man Who Fell To Earth (1976)