Gérard Philipe, an intimate portrait

PostED ON OCTOBER 18 2022

The title says it all: this documentary on Gérard Philipe (1922-1959), based on personal documents provided by his family - in particular many photos taken by his wife Anne, which give us a glimpse into his private life - goes back in time.

The last months of the actor's life, cut cruelly short by an incurable cancer, is the point of entry to revisit the shining career of the man who turned French cinema and theatre upside down in the post-war period. It accurately describes how the young romantic leading man, an idol of female viewers of the time, who became a worldwide star thanks to the success of ‘Fanfan la Tulipe’, invented a more serious career for himself in the theatre, in line with his convictions: the adventure of Jean Vilar's TNP (People’s National Theatre), the effervescent early years of the Avignon Festival (France’s oldest festival), and his role in the play ‘Le Cid’, which he performed hundreds of times.

© DR

Inspired by Jérôme Garcin's biographical account, this film does not gloss over darker material: for example, the complex relationship that the actor had with his father, a notorious collaborator. But what it engraves deeply in the viewer's memory is the actor's face, his fine features, his smile (which at times seemed weary due to his overwhelming fame), his gentleness and handsome youthful looks, the uncanny charm of someone who could not see himself aging, which fate decided for him anyway. An emotional film.

Aurélien Ferenczi

Screenings:
Gérard Philipe, le dernier hiver du Cid by Patrick Jeudy (2022, 1h06, VFSTA)
Institut Lumière Tue. 18 4:15pm