IFI CLASSIC

EXCLUSIVELY AT THE IFI

This film closes on Thursday, February 13th. 

Louis Malle was just 24 years old when he set about making his first feature film. He was aiming high. With a desire to emulate Hitchcock and Bresson, he also wanted to depict a youthful, modern Paris distinguishable from previous screen representations and managed to persuade Miles Davis to contribute a score. The result was Lift to the Scaffold, a ground-breaking debut that ushered in the Nouvelle Vague, made Jeanne Moreau an international star, and stands now as one of the finest examples of film noir ever made.

It’s the story of how a planned perfect murder goes wrong. Julien Tavernier (Maurice Ronet) kills his lover’s husband, only to get trapped in a lift on his way to retrieving an incriminating piece of evidence from the crime scene. While a couple of teenage joyriders take a fancy to Julien’s car, his lover Florence (Moreau) paces the streets of Paris, not knowing what has happened to him. (Notes by Michael Hayden.)

★★★★★ The Guardian ★★★★ The Irish Times

This film will feature as part of February’s FREE film club meeting, The Critical Take, on Monday February 24th at 18.30. This club is open to all so please join us to chat about this film and more! Simply collect your free ticket at the IFI Box Office.

Don’t forget we now schedule weekly.