Le panier à crabes

Here is a work by first time director Lisbona that is true to itself and manages to break a few rules at the same time. From the clever self-referential opening scene/credit sequence, to the surprise ending, it weaves in and out of reality. It appears to be an autobiographical piece about a disillusioned young man who decides to make an autobiographical film. It begins with his life as a chemistry student at an exclusive academy in Strasbourg. He falls madly in love with a young woman and decides to marry her. But just before the wedding, she inexplicably calls the whole thing off causing him great heart ache and disillusionment. While wallowing in sorrow, he decides to attend a Film Society (cool idea!) where he develops a new obsession to replace the old; the desire to become a film director. Off to Paris he goes. This occurs at exactly the midway point and thus the film acts as a sort of mirror unto itself. Intense love of another has become intense love of the dream of film directing. But by film's end, as he was once rejected by a loved one, he rejects a career as a film director. Apparently this is exactly how director Lisbona himself felt if we judge by his filmography. He picked up the torch again (one last fling?)four years later in 1964 but has not directed a film since. Solid acting and pacing make this French film a very good viewing experience. The bonus is learning about the Hollywoodesque underbellly of the Paris-based film industry in France.