Alain Corneau - Série noire (1979)

Frank Poupart is a slightly neurotic door-to-door salesman in a sinister part of Paris' suburbs. He meets Mona, a teenager, who's been made a prostitute by her own aunt. Franck would like to change his life and also save Mona from her aunt. Murder is the only solution he finds to achieve his goal...





One of the most original film experiences of the 70s is certainly French. Série noire is distinctive in its narrative and the form is never overwhelming the content. Although most of it seems improvised, it is always surprising to learn that all of it was written down to the last word by Georges Perec. The most fascinating aspect of this movie is the angle of "harsh realism" that Corneau chose to tell the story. No external music is polluting the grimy atmosphere depicted with true to life colors and textures. And yet, it is one of the most romantic movie - in the purest form of the genre - that one can wish for.

And how can anyone not be touched by the late Patrick Deweare acting. It has been said that this movie took such a toll on the actor that some are almost suggesting that it was the starting point of his depressive state. It is truly a very moving, strong performance, full of surprise and nuance, almost so strong that it is unbearable to watch. For those who are searching for a new kind of film making and acting, Série noire is certainly one of the best movies to provide such an experience. (IMDB comment)







Serie negra
Frank Poupart, un representante de comercio que trabaja para Staplin, y que ha sido abandonado por su esposa, se enamora de Mona, una joven de 17 años que vive con su vieja tía. Cuando Staplin le acusa de haber robado dinero suyo, Frank es arrestado, pero sale en libertad al pagar Mona la suma desaparecida. Entonces descubre que la chica se lo robó a su tía, la cual parece tener escondida una fortuna en su casa.

"Corneau llevaba tiempo queriendo adaptar la novela de Jim Thompson "1280 almas" (1964), pero no lo consiguió (quien sí lo hizo, y con buenos resultados, fue Bertrand Tavernier). No obstante, si pudo adaptar, junto al prestigioso novelista Georges Perec, otra novela menos conocida del escritor de Oklahoma, "Una mujer endemoniada" ("A Hell of a Woman", 1954), trasladando la acción a los suburbios parisinos de la época". (Tronko, DXC)







Frank Poupart, représentant d'une minable entreprise de vente par correspondance, écume les banlieues sinistres. Jeanne , sa femme, lassée de cette existence médiocre, finit par le quitter. Un jour, à la recherche d'un mauvais payeur, il tombe sur une mégère qui tente de lui monayer les charmes de sa nièce de 17 ans, Mona, contre un peignoir. Troublé par l'innocence de la jeune fille, Frank refuse. Envoyé en prison par son patron qu'il avait escroqué, Frank est libéré grâce à Mona qui rembourse l'argent volé. La jeune fille lui fait alors miroiter le magot de sa tante qui leur permettrait de fuir la zone.






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