Le Beau Serge
Encyclopedia
Le Beau Serge is a French film directed by Claude Chabrol
, released in 1958
. It is often considered the first product of the Nouvelle Vague
or "French New Wave" film movement.
) returns to his village after a long absence. He finds his friend Serge (Gérard Blain
) who has married Yvonne, and has developed an alcohol problem after the death of their stillborn child. Serge has become an angry, bitter figure not unlike the roles of James Dean
, refusing to face reality and adulthood and Francois must help him.
Claude Chabrol
Claude Chabrol was a French film director, a member of the French New Wave group of filmmakers who first came to prominence at the end of the 1950s...
, released in 1958
1958 in film
The year 1958 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 16- "In the Money" by William Beaudine is released on this date. It would be the last installment of The Bowery Boys series which began back in 1946....
. It is often considered the first product of the Nouvelle Vague
French New Wave
The New Wave was a blanket term coined by critics for a group of French filmmakers of the late 1950s and 1960s, influenced by Italian Neorealism and classical Hollywood cinema. Although never a formally organized movement, the New Wave filmmakers were linked by their self-conscious rejection of...
or "French New Wave" film movement.
Synopsis
Francois (Jean-Claude BrialyJean-Claude Brialy
Jean-Claude Brialy – died 30 May 2007, Monthyon, Seine-et-Marne, France was a French actor, director, and socialite.-Biography:...
) returns to his village after a long absence. He finds his friend Serge (Gérard Blain
Gérard Blain
Gérard Blain was a French actor and film director. He appeared in 60 films between 1944 and 2000. He also directed nine films between 1971 and 2000.-Selected filmography:* Les Mistons...
) who has married Yvonne, and has developed an alcohol problem after the death of their stillborn child. Serge has become an angry, bitter figure not unlike the roles of James Dean
James Dean
James Byron Dean was an American film actor. He is a cultural icon, best embodied in the title of his most celebrated film, Rebel Without a Cause , in which he starred as troubled Los Angeles teenager Jim Stark...
, refusing to face reality and adulthood and Francois must help him.
Cast
- Gérard Blain as Serge
- Jean-Claude Brialy as François Baillou
- Michèle Méritz as Yvonne
- Bernadette LafontBernadette LafontBernadette Lafont is a French actress and the mother of Pauline Lafont .Bernadette Lafont won the César Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for L'Effrontée...
as Marie - Claude Cerval as The priest
- Jeanne PérezJeanne PérezJeanne Pérez was a French film actress. She appeared in 50 films between 1930 and 1975.-Selected filmography:* The Green Domino * Devil in the Flesh * Return to Life...
as Madame Chaunier - Edmond BeauchampEdmond BeauchampEdmond Beauchamp was a French film actor. He appeared in 70 films between 1928 and 1979.-Selected filmography:* Louise * Futures vedettes *Le Bossu * Le Prussien...
as Glomaud - André Dino as Michel, the doctor
- Michel Creuze as The baker
- Claude Chabrol as La Truffe
- Philippe de BrocaPhilippe de BrocaPhilippe de Broca was a French film director.Born Philippe Claude Alex de Broca de Ferrussac in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, the son of a photographer of noble origins. de Broca was a cinephile from an early age, and he studied at the l'École technique de photographie et de cinématographie...
as Jacques Rivette de la Chasuble
Impact
- Le Beau Serge is often considered the first film of the French Nouvelle VagueFrench New WaveThe New Wave was a blanket term coined by critics for a group of French filmmakers of the late 1950s and 1960s, influenced by Italian Neorealism and classical Hollywood cinema. Although never a formally organized movement, the New Wave filmmakers were linked by their self-conscious rejection of...
.