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The French film master, Jean Renoir, is regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers unique in his sense and style. Ten film classics including his masterpieces "Grand Illusion" and "The Rules of the Game" will be screened in the new retrospective programme "Jean Renoir-Life of an Impressionist" from August 2 to 4 at the Hong Kong Science Museum Lecture Hall, and from August 9 to 11 at the Hong Kong Film Archive Cinema.

Son of the renowned impressionist painter Auguste Renoir, Jean Renoir's greatness lies in his repeated efforts to take risks, to make new sorts of film and to be experimental. His distinctive and realistic style has a great impact on the French New Wave movement and is adored by many film masters including Truffaut and Godard. His works range from anti-war, social class, humanity to nationalism but are always infused with love and sentiments. His films are not only well-acclaimed but have also been re-filmed by many other directors and Hollywood.

Renoir had a fascination with Charlie Chaplin's comedies, D.W. Griffith's silent movies and was particularly dazzled by the French actress Greta Garbo which led him to transform the art of film by using his own words to make a difference to people's lives. His adventurous spirit, the humanism in his works and his unique vision had won him and his movies universal respect. His life and creations vividly chronicled the development of French cinema from the silent movie era up to the overture to the French New Wave.

In collaboration with the Consulate General of France and French Ministry for Foreign Affairs, "Jean Renoir - Life of an Impressionist" is part of a series of retrospective film programmes "Repertory Cinema - A Spectrum of Film Classics and Masters" organised by the Film Programme Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). Curated by Mr Law Wai-ming, the classic films of a European film master who has profound impact on the development of film industry will be featured each month.

Other directors who will be featured in the Repertory Cinema from September to December include Ingmar Bergman, Werner Herzog, Robert Bresson and Rainer Werner Fassbinder.

The opening film "Grand Illusion" won Renoir the Best Overall Artistic Contribution at the 1937 Venice Film Festival. A film about chivalry and an influential film depicting the First World War, "Grand Illusion" is considered as a benchmark creation in the French cinema history and is voted as one of the 10 greatest films ever made. What makes it a masterpiece is its escape from the confines of the war movie genre. Renoir imbues the film with his passionate belief in man's humanity to man.

Often regarded as a twin piece with "Grand Illusion", "La Marseillaise" is an epic chronicling the French Revolution with his brother Pierre Renoir playing the role of Louis XVI. Filmed with a cast of hundreds, the peasants march from Marseille to Paris is such a magnificent scene that one never forgets.

Hailed as one of the cinema classics in the past hundred years, the release of "The Rules of the Game" marks the turning point in Renoir's career. Through the acidic dialogues and romantic entanglements of the rich and the poor, arrogance, infidelity, dishonesty, suspicion and hypocrisy of human characters are vividly unveiled. Robert Altman's "Gasford Park" is a tribute to Renoir. "The Rules of the Game" won the Best European Film at Denmark Bodil Awards 1966. The screening will show the restored version in original length.

"The Lower Depths" is based on Maxime Gorki's play which describes how a Baron discovers the true meaning of life through encounters with thieves and tenants of the lower class. Jean Gabin was highly praised for his brilliant performance as a thief. The film won Best Film at Prix Louis-Dellus in France 1936. It makes a fascinating companion piece to Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa's 1957 adaptation of the same play.

Based on the novel by Emile Zola, "The Human Beast" weaves a mesmerizing tale of love affairs and murder. Renoir offered a detailed and interesting psychological account of characters across the spectrum of wealth, power and desire. Fritz Lang made a Hollywood version in 1954 with the title "The Human Desire".

Featuring a love tragedy of the working class, "Toni" is another benchmark piece by Renoir hailed as a precedent for the Italian Neo-realist Cinema. The film offers a multitude of contrasts and tensions as Renoir brings out passion and envy, greed and virtue and sins in human nature to the screen. It won the Best Foreign Film, New York Film Critics Circle 1936.

"Boudu saved from Drowning" is a classic black comedy about a merry-go-round of the rich and poor. The story was re-filmed as the hilarious Hollywood version "Down And Out in Beverly Hills" in 1986.

"The Crime of Mr. Lange" will be screened together with "A Day in a Country". "The Crime of Mr. Lange" depicts the struggle between the upper and lower social classes which eventually ends up in a tragedy while "A Day in a Country" is adapted from a romantic vignette by Guy de Manpassalt, a film of pure sensation.

Beautifically photographed, "French Cancan" chronicles vividly the glamorous tale of the Moulin Rouge and its founder Danglard. Renoir's colour techniques in the film was a benchmark for the upcoming colour productions while his treatment of musical has set the standard for the genre.

All films at the "Jean Renoir -- Life of an Impressionist" are provided with English subtitles. The opening film "Grand Illusion", "The Human Beast" and "The Rules of the Game" will have Chinese subtitles.

Tickets for the Repertory Cinema screenings are priced at $50 each and are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-priced concessionary tickets are available for senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients. A 10% discount will be offered for each purchase of at least three screenings or five to seven tickets in the same classic series and 20% discount for at least five screenings or eight tickets and above in the same classic series as well as Manhattan id card members.

Enquiries can be made at 2734 2891 or browsing the website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp. Reservations can be made at 2734 9009 and internet booking at www.urbtix.gov.hk.

End/Monday, July 29, 2002

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