Événement

Henri-Georges Clouzot's Inferno

(Serge Bromberg and Ruxandra Medrea, France, 2009, 35mm, 97 min) So astonishing were the rushes of Inferno that Henri-Georges Clouzot (The Wages Of Fear, Diabolique) submitted to Columbia Pictures in 1964, the French director was granted an unlimited budget. Inferno (L'Enfer) was intended to be a study in jealousy of a hotelier who imagines his young wife betraying him with every man and woman he sees. Clouzot, inspired by Fellini's 8 ½ and challenged by the French New Wave cinematographers, wanted to show "the improbable colors of madness" of the hotelier's descent, and he began innovative experimentation with make-up, Op Art–inspired lens effects and early electronic music. Yet after only weeks of shooting, the lead actor packed his bags and Clouzot, who had seemingly descended into madness himself, had a heart attack. The documentary is riveting for its remarkable detective work and storytelling, and for the recovered footage of Clouzot's visual experiments and star Romy Schneider's sensuality. Co-directors Serge Bromberg and Ruxandra Medrea Annonier reconstruct what the film might have been, while chronicling the disintegration of Clouzot and the production.

Be sure to look into Pique-nique, a delicious new way to enjoy dinner & a movie! For a limited time only, during screenings of Henri-Georges Clouzout's Inferno (December 17-23), you can pre-order a delightful Pique-nique meal or sandwich, prepared by Cafe Presse, to enjoy in-theater: http://nwfilmforum.org/live/page/news

Film Forum members, join us Thursday night for a free screening, followed by a discussion with program director Adam Sekuler.

A "dazzling evocation of what may be one of the greatest films never made" – Catherine Wheatley, Sight & Sound