How many "Russian" movies were made in France in the thirties?All take place in a chocolate box land,all -with one or two exceptions - were played by French actors and all deal with the pre-Revolution era . Did the directors feel nostalgic for the czars? Did they remember the Franco -Russian alliance -which partly led the country to WW1 all the same ?

The movie itself begins with a remembrance of this baleful agreement. A handsome Russian count (Wilm ,who was also in L'Herbier's "Tragédie Impériale " -the downfall of the Romanov-)meets an elegant woman in charge of killing the imperial grand duke .She's part of a bunch of terrorists who kills everyone they meet on their way to revolution . The plot thickens when they meet the VIP's lover ,a countess who treats her puppy doggie with great care (the always efficient Suzy Prim).The dashing officer is so in love with the treacherous lady he marries her but the grand duke also covets her ,and his mistress is not prepared to accept it.

This is generally entertaining stuff ,with a screenplay made with care by a good craftsman.A far-fetched melodramatic ending ,but it's the rule of the game .

French-language cinema, whether in France, Québec, or other Francophone regions, explores cultural identity, social change, and the tension between the individual and society. French cinema is not only celebrated for its intellectual experimentation and auteur traditions, but also its success in mainstream comedy, romance, and commercial entertainment. In Québec, films often focus on questions of language, belonging, and community within a distinct cultural landscape.

Jean-Pierre Léaud in The 400 Blows (1959)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The history genre features recounting and analyzing past events, societies, cultures, and historical figures. This genre aims to provide insights into the development of civilizations, the causes and consequences of historical events, and the impact of individuals and ideas on the course of history.

The Biggest Movies and TV Coming in September

See which big screen releases you can watch from the comfort of your couch.

Theatrical Releases Coming to Streaming

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Au service du tsar

Photos

Top Cast19

User reviews1

Related interests

Storyline

Top picks

Details

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed