The truth of Henri Decoin

Henri Decoin is one of the most notable filmmakers of the period 1930-1960. Renowned for his adaptations of Georges Simenon's crime novels, he also made spy films, historical sagas and psychological dramas. He managed to succeed in a wide array of genres thanks to his sharp writing and sense of dialogue that both hit the target. He directed fabulous actors, from Jean Gabin to Danielle Darrieux to Louis Jouvet... The director’s son, writer and screenwriter Didier Decoin, will participate in the retrospective, along with Françoise Arnoul, heroine of The Face of the Cat/The Cat.

With the support of
 

Toboggan by Henri Decoin (1934, 1h39)
Boxing champion Georges Romanet retires from the sport. A fight organizer suggests he return to the ring... A working-class success with documentary accents, starring boxing champion Georges Carpentier.
Institut Lumière Mon.15 9:30am | Villa Lumière Sat.20 2:30pm

Beating Heart by Henri Decoin (Battement de cœur, 1940, 1h37, Eng ST)
A young orphan, Arlette, goes to a school for pickpockets. She applies her training to the Count of Argay, who catches her red-handed... An inventive and spicy classic starring the filmmaker’s muse, Danielle Darrieux. Also with Carette, Saturnin Fabre and Jean Tissier. A masterpiece.
Comœdia Sun.14 11am | Pathé Bellecour Tue.16 11am | Tassin la Demi-Lune Thu.18 8:30pm | UGC Astoria Fri.19 8:30pm | Lumière Fourmi Sat.20 2:15pm

Strangers in the House by Henri Decoin (Les Inconnus dans la maison, 1942, 1h40) 
Hector Loursat, a formerly brilliant lawyer, turns to alcohol and quits his profession after his wife leaves him. One night, he finds a man murdered in his home, obviously known to his daughter... An exceptional adaptation of Simenon’s novel, a striking work of the Decoin filmograrphy, featuring a masterful Raimu.
Cinéma Opéra Sun.14 5:30pm | Comœdia Thu.18 5:30pm | Institut Lumière Fri.19 3:45pm | Ciné Caluire Sat.20 8:30pm | Lumière Fourmi Sun.21 2:30pm

Not Guilty  by Henri Decoin (Non coupable, 1947, 1h42) 
Dr. Ancelin is an incurable drunkard. One evening, particularly intoxicated, he accidentally kills a man and decides to rerarragne the scene... An ironic and cruel film, painting an intransigent portrait of provincial France, starring Michel Simon.
Institut Lumière Sat.13 11am | UGC Astoria Tue.16 9pm | Pathé Bellecour 17 2:15pm | Cinéma Bellecombe Sat.20 8:30pm

Les Amants du pont Saint-Jean by Henri Decoin (1947, 1h34, Ger ST) 
Two villages face each other, separated by the Rhone. To pass from one side to the other without a bridge, they ask ferryman Garonne to get them across... A biting, corrosive farce of infinite darkness, with Michel Simon.
Villa Lumière Sat.13 11:30am | Villa Lumière Mon.15 6pm

Monelle by Henri Decoin (Les Amoureux sont seuls au monde, 1948, 1h40) 
A famous composer, still in love with his wife after 18 years of marriage, becomes the target of the tabloids... An intimate drama full of charm, with the admirable Louis Jouvet.
Pathé Bellecour Sun.14 11am | Mions Tue.16 8pm | Lumière Terreaux Thu.18 2:15pm | Lumière Fourmi Sat.20 4:30pm

Between Eleven and Midnight by Henri Decoin (Entre onze heures et minuit, 1949, 1h40) 
L’inspecteur Carrel enquête sur plusieurs meurtres dont celui d’un certain Vidauban, truand professionnel. Il se trouve être le sosie du macchabée… Un polar captivant d’une grande originalité, avec Louis Jouvet.
Pathé Bellecour Wed.17 7:15pm | Le Méliès (Caluire) Thu.18 8:30pm | Lumière Terreaux Sun.21 5:15pm

Au grand balcon by Henri Decoin (1949, 1h56, Eng ST) 
Toulouse, 1920. Carbot (Pierre Fresnay) leads the sometimes-fatal airline Toulouse-Casablanca without any qualms ... A historical film about the pioneers of Aeropostale, a great lesson in bravery and dedication.
Pathé Bellecour Tue.16 2:15pm | Lumière Fourmi Thu.18 7:15pm | Cinéma St-Denis Sat.20 2:30pm

The Truth of Our Marriage by Henri Decoin (La Vérité sur Bébé Donge, 1952, 1h53, Eng ST) 
Hospitalized for an unknown ailment, François Donge suspects that his wife, Bébé, has poisoned him. Confined to his bed, he looks back on their ten years of marriage... A dark film with the stellar duo Jean Gabin and Danielle Darrieux.
Comœdia Sun.14 2:15pm | Bron Tue.16 8:30pm | Pathé Bellecour Thu.18 11am | Lumière Fourmi Fri.19 5pm | Lumière Fourmi Sat.20 9:15pm

The Scheming Women/The Plotters by Henri Decoin (Les Intrigantes, 1954, 1h39) 
A theater director dies from falling off a bridge. An anonymous letter accuses his associate Paul Remi of murder... An exciting film on the spirit of the theater troupe, with Jeanne Moreau playing the lead role of a free and strong woman.
Lumière Fourmi Tue.16 2:30pm | Villa Lumière Sat.20 5pm | Pathé Bellecour Sun.21 10:45am

The Case of Poisons by Henri Decoin (L’Affaire des poisons, 1955, 1h43) 
Madame de Montespan (Danielle Darrieux), mistress of Louis XIV, employs the services of a famous witch (Viviane Romance) to keep the favors of her lover... Black magic, poisoning, invocation of the devil, children as sacrifices...
Lumière Fourmi Tue.16 7pm | Lumière Fourmi Thu.18 5pm | UGC Astoria Sun.21 5pm

Razzia sur la chnouf by Henri Decoin (1955, 1h45, Eng ST) 
Henri Ferré arrives in Paris to set up a drug trafficking network. His contact, Liski, proposes a bar that can serve as a cover... A true detective flick, both tender and violent, with Jean Gabin and Lino Ventura. A jewel of Decoin’s filmography.
Villa Lumière Sat.13 6:30pm | UGC Confluence Tue.16 6pm | Décines Wed.17 2pm | Comœdia Sat.20 2:30pm | Lumière Bellecour Sun.21 2:45pm

Un soir au music-hall by Henri Decoin (1956, 1h33) 
On leave in Paris, Bob Wellington attends a show of the Folies Bergère. He falls under the spell of a dancer... The first French musical in Technicolor, with Eddie Constantine, Zizi Jeanmaire, Yves Robert.
Lumière Fourmi Sun.14 5:15pm | Lumière Bellecour Thu.18 9:45pm

The Face of the Cat/The Cat by Henri Decoin (La Chatte, 1958, 1h48) 
Paris, 1943. When Cora’s husband is killed by the Germans, she decides to take his place in the Resistance forces... A resounding success for this magnificent film on the Resistance, with Françoise Arnoul.
Institut Lumière Tue.16 2:30pm | Lumière Bellecour Wed.17 4:45pm | Villa Lumière Thu.18 11am

Short film
A bas les hommes by Henri Decoin (1931, 19min)
A woman, mistrerated by her husband, hires a hitman to get rid of him... The very first film by Henri Decoin.
Villa Lumière Sat.20 2:30pm