France 1952, 94 mins. Director Jacques Becker. Starring Simone Signoret, Serge Reggiani and Claude Dauphin.
This Belle Epoque tragedy tells the story of an ill-fated love affair between Marie (Signoret) and Georges (Reggiani). It was loosely based on an infamous love triangle between the prostitute Amelie and the Apache gang leaders, Manda and Leca, which was widely and sensationally reported in 1902. Signoret is a demi-mondaine known for her golden hair (casque d’or), unhappily involved with Roland, a member of a local gang headed by Felix Leca (Dauphin). She meets and falls in love with Georges (Reggiani), a former criminal who is trying to go straight and works as a carpenter. This relationship causes jealousy among the gang members and leads to major disruptions in their lives. The film is in black and white and captures the beauty and danger of the doomed love affair.
Please book a seat by 1pm on the day of the film
Tickets: £9 Members / £12 Non-Members
Alternatively, book a HFS Membership for the season September 2023 – June 2024 (10 films):
HLSI Members: £45
Non-Members: £50
Doors open at 7.00pm for pre-film drinks (included in the price of the ticket)
Film starts at 7.30pm
Film Talk at 9.30pm