Dr Douglas Smith, Senior Lecturer, School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, UCD, will introduce this screening. 

Sautet’s second feature, a fatalistic film noir, adapted from a novel by José Giovanni, sees Abel Davos (Lino Ventura), a gangster on the run, journeying home to France with his wife and children. In Nice he meets Eric Stark (a young Belmondo co-starring here immediately after Breathless), a new mob recruit sent to accompany Abel on the final stretch. “This early Sautet makes us feel compassionate toward the robber/gangster played matter-of-factly by Ventura, while abhorred at his cruelty in seeking vengeance. This portrait, filled with honesty and humility, is what makes this film so powerful and timeless.” — John Woo.

Programme organised with the support of the Institut Français, Paris and the French Embassy in Ireland. Special thanks to Christine Houard, Institut Français; Cultural Services of the French Embassy in Ireland; Studio Canal; Park Circus and Tamasa.

Screening as part of IFI French Film Festival – November 13th to 24th. Multi-film tickets available directly from the IFI Box Office: 5 films for €50, 10 films for €90.

Please note that due to the Club status of this film, only persons 18 years and over will be admitted to this screening.