Criterion Close-Up – Episode 57 – French 1930’s Part 2: Early Jean Renoir

Mark and Aaron continue the French 1930s series by exploring the early career of Jean Renoir, easily the most recognizable director from the period. We begin with the beginning, by looking at his origins and childhood. We look at his early silent films, his first sound adaptations, and a couple of films from the middle of the decade where he began to settle into his poetic realist style.

7:00 – Why Renoir?

9:30 – Origins of Renoir

20:00 – Silent Renoir (Catherine, Whirlpool of Fate, Nana, Charleston Parade, The Little Match Girl)

51:30 – Early Sound (On purge bébé, La Chienne, Boudu Saved From Drowning)

1:21:30 – Poetic Realism in Mid-Thirties (Toni, A Day in the Country)

• French 1930s Episode 1


• Jean Renoir Taschen book


• Republic of Images


• Renoir Paintings at the Art Institute of Chicago


• DVD Beaver – Jean Renoir Collector’s Edition


• Aaron West – A Day in the Country


• David Blakeslee – A Day in the Country

Recommended Films

• The Little Match Girl


• La Chienne


• Boudu Saved from Drowning


• Toni


• A Day in the Country

Episode Credits

• Mark Hurne: Twitter | Letterboxd


• Aaron West: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd


• Criterion Close-Up: Facebook | Twitter | Email

Next time on the podcast: Paul Thomas Anderson