La belle équipe
Encyclopedia
La belle équipe is a French film, directed by Julien Duvivier
, and released in 1936. The script was written by Duvivier and Charles Spaak
. Music was by Maurice Yvain - the song Quand on s'promène au bord de l'eau , sung by Jean Gabin
was written by Duvivier, Maurice Yvain and Louis Poterat
. Interiors were shot at the Studios de Joinville in Joinville-le-Pont
(Val-de-Marne
), and exteriors at Chennevières-sur-Marne
.
), Charlot (Charles Vanel
), Raymond, called Tintin , (Raymond Aimos), Jacques (Charles Dorat), and a foreigner Mario, (Raphaël Médina), who is threatened with expulsion, win the main prize in the National Lottery. One of them, Jeannot, has the idea of putting the money together so the group can buy an old suburban wash house in ruins, that they will transform into a guinguette
- a dancing and refreshment café in the country. They will be equal co-owners. They get down to realizing the project with confidence. But the solidarity of the group proves fragile. Soon enough the group is reduced to just Charles and Jean - who are in love with the same woman, Gina (Viviane Romance). The ending, judged too pessimistic, was re-made.
"Critics have associated the film with the rise and demise of the Popular Front
. Duvivier was certainly not of the Left. The film was made in June and July 1936 and coincided with the early days of the Léon Blum
government and the strikes calling for better conditions. It should be pointed out nonetheless that Duvivier's portrayal of male friendship gradually being eroded by a woman and by desire for that woman was canonical by 1936, so the film does not limit itself to that reading. If the men in Duvivier's film do not get to fulfil their dream of setting up their guinguette it is because, while economically they can be solidaires - as one, sexually they cannot.On a first level of reading, therefore, it is sex before politics that drives the narrative."
Julien Duvivier
Julien Duvivier was a French film director. He was prominent in French cinema in the years 1930-1960...
, and released in 1936. The script was written by Duvivier and Charles Spaak
Charles Spaak
Charles Spaak was a Belgian screenwriter who was noted particularly for his work in the French cinema during the 1930s...
. Music was by Maurice Yvain - the song Quand on s'promène au bord de l'eau , sung by Jean Gabin
Jean Gabin
-Biography:Born Jean-Alexis Moncorgé in Paris, he grew up in the village of Mériel in the Seine-et-Oise département, about 22 mi north of Paris. The son of cabaret entertainers, he attended the Lycée Janson de Sailly...
was written by Duvivier, Maurice Yvain and Louis Poterat
Louis Poterat
-Life:After studying law, Poterat began working in journalism, then launched himself into commerce. He first wrote for local revues, where he found his interest in song-writing. He adapted foreign-language works, and entered the film company Pathé-Marconi to write a series of film lyrics...
. Interiors were shot at the Studios de Joinville in Joinville-le-Pont
Joinville-le-Pont
Joinville-le-Pont is a commune in the southeastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-History:The commune was created in 1791 under the name La Branche-du-Pont-de-Saint-Maur by detaching its territory from the commune of Saint-Maur-des-Fossés...
(Val-de-Marne
Val-de-Marne
Val-de-Marne is a French department, named after the Marne River, located in the Île-de-France region. The department is situated to the southeast of the city of Paris.- Geography :...
), and exteriors at Chennevières-sur-Marne
Chennevières-sur-Marne
Chennevières-sur-Marne is a commune in the southeastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-History:People have lived on the site of Chennevières-sur-Marne since pre-historic times, the hilly, riverside location being an advantageous spot. The Gauls built villages on...
.
Plot
Five unemployed Parisian workers, Jeannot (Jean GabinJean Gabin
-Biography:Born Jean-Alexis Moncorgé in Paris, he grew up in the village of Mériel in the Seine-et-Oise département, about 22 mi north of Paris. The son of cabaret entertainers, he attended the Lycée Janson de Sailly...
), Charlot (Charles Vanel
Charles Vanel
Charles-Marie Vanel, known as Charles Vanel was a French director and actor. He made his screen debut in 1912, in Robert Péguy's Jim Crow...
), Raymond, called Tintin , (Raymond Aimos), Jacques (Charles Dorat), and a foreigner Mario, (Raphaël Médina), who is threatened with expulsion, win the main prize in the National Lottery. One of them, Jeannot, has the idea of putting the money together so the group can buy an old suburban wash house in ruins, that they will transform into a guinguette
Guinguette
Guinguettes were popular drinking establishments located in the suburbs of Paris and other cities in France. Guinguettes would also serve as restaurants and, often, as dance venues. The origin of the term comes from guinguet, indicating a sour white light local wine...
- a dancing and refreshment café in the country. They will be equal co-owners. They get down to realizing the project with confidence. But the solidarity of the group proves fragile. Soon enough the group is reduced to just Charles and Jean - who are in love with the same woman, Gina (Viviane Romance). The ending, judged too pessimistic, was re-made.
"Critics have associated the film with the rise and demise of the Popular Front
Popular Front (France)
The Popular Front was an alliance of left-wing movements, including the French Communist Party , the French Section of the Workers' International and the Radical and Socialist Party, during the interwar period...
. Duvivier was certainly not of the Left. The film was made in June and July 1936 and coincided with the early days of the Léon Blum
Léon Blum
André Léon Blum was a French politician, usually identified with the moderate left, and three times the Prime Minister of France.-First political experiences:...
government and the strikes calling for better conditions. It should be pointed out nonetheless that Duvivier's portrayal of male friendship gradually being eroded by a woman and by desire for that woman was canonical by 1936, so the film does not limit itself to that reading. If the men in Duvivier's film do not get to fulfil their dream of setting up their guinguette it is because, while economically they can be solidaires - as one, sexually they cannot.On a first level of reading, therefore, it is sex before politics that drives the narrative."