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Les Bas-Fonds
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Synopsis
Voted 1936's best picture by a circle of prestigious French critics, Jean Renoir's The Lower Depths (Les Bas-Fonds) is based on the "gutter" play by Russian author Maxim Gorky. Louis Jouvet plays The Baron, forced by circumstance to give up his life of luxury and to set up residence in the slums of Paris. As Jouvet observes the passing parade, he bears witness to the frustrated romance between Jean Gabin and Junie Astor, the thwarted dreams of actor Robert Le Vigan, and the oppressive cruelties of landlord Vladimir Sokoloff. The Lower Depths surprised Renoir's admirers, who weren't used to seeing the director involve himself in so sordid and depressing a tale. Actually, the project was brought to Renoir by a producer friend of his, who secured the director's services by promising to provide Louis Jouvet and Jean Gabin as the leading actors. Renoir's The Lower Depths would make a fascinating companion piece to Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa's 1957 adaptation of the same Gorky play. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

Junie Astor Natacha
Camille Bert Le Comte
Jean Gabin Wasska Pepel
René Génin Le Vieillard
Jany Holt Nastia
Louis Jouvet The Baron
Léon Larive Felix, le domestique
Robert Le Vigan L'Acteur
Robert Ozanne Jabot
Suzy Prim Vassilissa
Vladimir Sokoloff Kostileff
Paul Temps Satine

Production Crew

F. Bourgas Cinematographer
Jean Bachelet Cinematographer
Jean Wiener Composer (Music Score)
Jean Renoir Director
Marguerite Renoir Editor
Jacques Becker First Assistant Director
Maxim Gorky Play Author
Arthur Mayer Producer
Charles Spaak Screenwriter
Jacques Companeez Screenwriter
Jean Renoir Screenwriter
Eugène Lourié Set Designer
Year: 1936
Runtime: 92
Country: France
MPAA Rating:
Category: Feature

Genre
Drama

Produced by
Albatross Productions
Franco London Films

Release
by Joseph Burstyn Incorporated

Awards
1937 - Best Foreign Film - National Board of Review
1937 - Prix Louis-Delluc - French Film Critics Circle