Section des disparus

A Franco-Argentine production means you get the best of both worlds : French director Pierre Chenal, actors Maurice Ronet and Nicole Maurey finding themselves in 1950s Argentina supported by cinematographer Américo Hoss and actress Inda Ledesma. In this underrated South American B noir, a wealthy woman starts flirting with insanity after the tragic death of her husband who openly had an affair with a younger and cuter cabaret dancer before he died. Jealousy and despair will soon lead the characters to chaos. Although I would not list it among the best film noirs I saw, "Sections des disparus" is entertaining and remains a great example of what a Franco-Argentine production looks like.

"La Foire Aux Chimères" was Pierre Chenal's peak:that movie overshadows every other work of the director as a complete and perfect achievement.

It seemed that Pierre Chenal couldn't do any more great stuff.He worked in South America before returning in his homeland where he produced some fairly interesting movies ,particularly the funny " L'Assassin Connait La Musique" , the curious "Jeux Dangereux".

Unfortunately ,"Section Des Disparus" ,a France/Argentina co- production suffers for a very derivative screenplay ,some bizarre Latin parboiled cross between a lite "double indemnity" (the scene of the train) and Stahl's "Leave her to heaven" (the final scenes).An actress who looks like a Joan Crawford ersatz ,and Maurice Ronet who was about to become one of the best actors of his generation:greater glories would follow ,such as "Ascenceur Pour L'Echafaud" ,"Plein Soleil" (Purple noon)or "Celui Qui Doit Mourir" .