Short Stories, Irish literature, Classics, Modern Fiction, Contemporary Literary Fiction, The Japanese Novel, Post Colonial Asian Fiction, The Legacy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and quality Historical Novels are Among my Interests








Monday, July 22, 2024

Nana - A 1927 Silent Film Directed by Jean Renoir- 2 Hours 27 Minutes. Available on YouTube with English Captions- A Paris in July 2024 Movie


 


Paris in July does not just include books. Contributions on your Paris vacation, your favourite meal or restaurant, French movies, music, art, Parisian history and more are very welcome. On the home page for the event you will inevitably discover perhaps new to you authors, movies as well as recipes to send you if you are lucky to Paris or at least the kitchen.

Nana - A 1927 Silent Film Directed by Jean Renoir- 2 Hours 27 Minutes. Available on YouTube with English Captions- A Paris in July 2024 Movie

Jean Renoir.

Born: September 15, 1894, Montmartre, Paris, France

Died: February 12, 1979 (age 84 years), Beverly Hills, California, United States 

Renoir's most famous films were made during the 1930s, including La Grande Illusion (1937), The Rules of the Game (1939), and The Woman on the Beach (1943). These films are all considered masterpieces of world cinema.

Renoir left France for the United States in 1941, and he made several films there, including The Southerner (1945) and The Diary of a Chambermaid (1946). He returned to France in 1949, and he continued to make films until his death in 1979.

Nana, Renoir's second film Nana is on based a novel by the French naturalist author Émile Zola. Completed in 1880, Nana is the ninth installment in the 20-volume Les Rougon-Macquart series.

I very much enjoyed watching Nana. It is a strikingly good depiction of the transition of Nana from a girl from a very poor family, to a dancer in a burlesque show, to a prostitute and eventually a very wealthy courtesan, mistress to wealthy nobles. Renoir shows us the impact of Nana on the men in her life, they competed for her favour with extremely expensive gifts including a mansion. The sets are really well done. 

Nana is a bit sadistic but also a victim. Her servants added a lot to the movie.  There are undercurrents of Lesbian relationships.

Mel Ulm 
The Reading Life 






5 comments:

Emma at Words And Peace / France Book Tours said...

Thanks, I didn't realize he had made a film on Nana!

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

I should add this to my list for this month...or next year. Thank you, Mel.

Buried In Print said...

This is such a You pick, perfact for your long project of his books.

Marg said...

I must confess I am not familiar with this director.

Thanks for sharing.

Mae Travels said...

Renoir always features on the list of foundational film makers. I've never seen this one, and definitely should see it, though I am not very diligent about seeking important films lately. Good to introduce him to the Paris in July list.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com