Paris 36

In 1935, Paris was going through extreme financial and political upheavals. Followers of Leon Trotsky were agitating workers and forming unions, and the Fascist movement was gaining momentum. In the midst of this, everyday people were going hungry and losing jobs, so in 1935 millions of workers across the country united and called a General Strike.

In our story, which takes place in a small neighborhood called the Faubourg, a local Music Hall is shut down after the owner loses it to a loan shark, throwing all the theatre employees out of work. One stagehand, Milou, played by Clovis Cornillac, invests his energies unionizing workers and chasing girls. Another employee, Jacky, the sandwich man, portrayed by Kad Merad, spends his time polishing a one-man show. His dream is to leave his menial duties behind and become a Music Hall star. But, our stage manager, Pigoil, played by Gerard Jugnot, has had his dream taken away. For 30 years he has worked at the Chansonia Theatre, and now he has lost his job, his wife to infidelity, and his son, to lawyers and social workers. He is ruined, has taken to drink, and is full of agonizing despair. But one day, Jacky breaks into the shuttered theatre, and debuts his one-man show to the local citizens. Pigoil wanders in, is stricken with longing and the desire to reclaim his life, and lays siege to the theater. As he screams, “Occupy, occupy!” the legal owner arrives and after some convincing, decides to give Pigoil a chance, use of the theatre in exchange for rent. It is better than losing money to an empty building.

The whole community rallies around Pigoil’s daunting task. Jacky gets his first shot at stardom and even Milou gives up his union duties to help put on the show. During the audition process, the gangster theatre owner sends in a young girl. They immediately assume she is one of his prostitutes, but one look at her reveals her wholesome qualities, and she is also talented, but inexperienced. They set her up as the emcee, and the show goes on.

Paris 36 is a beautiful film to look at, and it even won awards for cinematography and costumes, but I felt that the film was uneven. I loved all the scenes, revolving around the theatre and the theatre community. But I didn’t think that the social and political drama was strong enough. I remember, as a young girl, being blown away by Cabaret, a film that mirrored the impending terror of Fascism against the escape and magic of the theatre. The theatre pieces were a commentary on what was happening outside in the real world, using humor and parody. There is a hint of this in Paris 36, but it is not as effective.

The real treasure of Paris 36 is newcomer Nora Amezeder. She is enchanting as Douce. You could totally buy into the idea of an entire country falling in love with her, as well as a gangster and a union organizer. She is very charming and won two French Awards as a promising new actress.

I really enjoyed Paris 36, but I felt that the darker side of the story missed its mark; therefore I am giving it a mild recommendation. If you enjoy music and romance, go, but if you are looking for a strong, historically accurate look into a turbulent time in French history, you’ll be disappointed.

In French, with English subtitles.

Rating: Bargain Matinee A beautiful looking film.