France, 1970, 140 min, 4K DCP, Dir. Jean-Pierre Melville, Not Rated, French with English subtitles, Rialto Pictures
Le Cercle Rouge
Saturday, October 14
“One well-choreographed, beautifully shot and definitely cool cops-and-robbers film.” —Marta Barber, Miami Herald
“Melville's special achievement was to relocate the American gangster film in France, and to incorporate his own steely poetic and philosophical obsessions.” —Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The film follows the intersecting lives of three men brought together by fate in the criminal underworld of Paris. Corey, a recently released ex-convict, forms an uneasy alliance with Vogel, a wounded fugitive, and Jansen, a sharp and meticulous sharpshooter. Together, they plan and execute a meticulously planned jewelry heist, navigating a world of deception, betrayal, and relentless pursuit by the relentless police inspector Mattei. As tension mounts, alliances shift, and the boundaries between criminals and lawmen blur, The Red Circle unfolds as a stylish and suspenseful tale of crime, honor, and fate. With its iconic visuals and taut storytelling, this film remains a classic of French cinema.
In August 1973, 50 years ago, Jean-Pierre Grumbach (known as Jean-Pierre Melville), one of the great filmmakers of the 20th century, passed away. In a career spanning just fourteen films and twenty-five years, Jean-Pierre Melville became an international legend. His films had a profound impact on the young filmmakers of the French New Wave. He also exerted a lasting influence on other major filmmakers, with his writing and visual style having inspired many American directors such as Quentin Tarantino, Michael Mann and Jim Jarmusch. 2023 is an opportunity to pay tribute to him and (re)discover his work. This program is presented in partnership with the Alliance Française Miami Metro.
Check out the rest of our Tribute to Melville program!