Vive la république (1997) Directed by Eric Rochant
Comedy / Drama
aka: Long Live the Republic
Film Synopsis
Driven to virtual despair by their own economic circumstances, a mixed
group of unemployed people decide to band together and form their own
political party. This seemingly mad idea is proposed by Henri, a
divorced father who is unable to find work, but it is readily supported
by Victor and Emile, who are in a similar position. They are
joined by Sabine, whose RMI earnings are a small compensation for her
eight years at university, reformed drug addict Yannick, Solange, a
one-time Communist, and several others. As the party grows, it
becomes apparent that someone within it is acting to neutralise its
effectiveness - but who?
In the 1940s, the shadowy, skewed visual style of 1920s German expressionism was taken up by directors of American thrillers and psychological dramas, creating that distinctive film noir look.
In the 1920s French cinema was at its most varied and stylish - witness the achievements of Abel Gance, Marcel L'Herbier, Jean Epstein and Jacques Feyder.