Marcel Carné and the celebration of the greatness of French cinema.

Author: FilmCriticLalitRao from FIPRESCI/Cinema of the world
9 August 2007

Hotel Du Nord is a gripping drama of guilt in which Marcel Carne portrayed an entertaining tale of ill-fated love which also functions as a revolt against the cruel world.The film is based entirely on a pair of hapless lovers.Pierre and Renee were mistaken when they believed that suicide would put an end to their misery Hotel Du Nord has its own inimitable charm as its inhabitants have become an essential part of the establishment.There is an element of togetherness as everyone flocks to Hotel Du Nord to eat,chat etc.Marcel Carne has remained true to the spirit of the films produced in 30s and 40s as Hotel Du Nord has a certain kind of nostalgic feel.

Carne,while recreating the life of Parisian roads was able to create a sort of nostalgia for black and white giving a unique genre of poetic realism to his oeuvre.Hotel Du Nord can be termed as a quintessence of cinematographic populism.The 14th July ball scene on the banks of Saint Martin canal remains a magnificent sequence.The film's immense popularity can be judged from the fact that Hotel Du Nord has been declared as a national monument.

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Charming French cinematic gem ...

Author: Philajeff from United States
5 March 2013

Hotel du Nord is a charming and atmospheric film from right before the second world war in France. The ensemble of characters are all likable - of course it helps that the acting is so great and the dialog so sharp. As the star-crossed young lovers - Jean-Pierre Aumont and Annabella sparkle. Though this film deals with the underclass of Parisian society, it's a group of people whom you wouldn't mind at all spending a summer evening with, drinking wine, and conversing together. Final note - This film also makes it clear that the French cinema like its counterparts in other European countries was very far ahead of a more Puritanical American cinema in openly portraying prostitutes or gay people. (Puritains ? ou hypocrites ? la question reste entière)