Le Deuxième Souffle

Friday, October 13

“Characteristic of Melville's crime canon, the film's rigorously mannered aesthetic creates a decidedly artificial environment, and yet that environment is so meticulously, thoroughly realized that it's breathtakingly immersive.” —Nick Schager, Slant Magazine

“The product of a director in complete control of his talents.” —Jeremy Heilman, MovieMartyr.com

With his customary restraint and ruthless attention to detail, director Jean-Pierre Melville follows the parallel tracks of French underworld criminal Gu (the inimitable Lino Ventura), escaped from prison and roped into one last robbery, and the suave inspector, Blot (Paul Meurisse), relentlessly seeking him. The implosive Le Deuxième Souffle captures the pathos, loneliness, and excitement of a life in the shadows with methodical suspense and harrowing authenticity, and contains one of the most thrilling heist

---

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!

---