Films by Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Renoir to Be Re-released by Les Films du Jeudi
Les Films du Jeudi has unveiled newly released classic films from Jean Renoir, Raymond Lamy, and Pierre Gaspard-Huit, along with a lesser-known comedy starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and directed by Jean Becker. Les Films du Jeudi CEO Laurence Braunberger exclusively shared the company's latest lineup with Variety ahead of the company's annual presentation of its catalogue to annual rights holders at the classic film market.
The Paris-based distributor will present its lineup, including "The Girl on the Third Floor" with Marina Vlady, at the Lumière Festival's Classic Film Market.
Les Films du Jeudi has unveiled newly released classics from Jean Renoir, Raymond Lamy, Pierre Gaspard-Hoyt and a little-known comedy starring Jean-Paul Belmondo by Jean-Bécquer.
Les Films du Jeudi CEO Laurence Braunberger shared exclusively with Variety the company's latest line-up ahead of the annual presentation of the classic film holdings catalog at the Lumière Festival in Lyon on Wednesday. RELATED STORIES 'The Other Mum' In Pictures For UK, Ireland Box Office Session 'Bloodsuckers' Reunite In Warner Bros' 'Body In The Closet' With Comedian Axel Ohmanzech In Key Role (Exclusive)
Among the newly restored titles is 1924's Une vie sans joie ("Catherine"), the first film attributed to Jean Renoir, co-directed by Albert Dieudonné. Popular in Variety
The film will be released by Tamassa on a DVD/Blu-ray box set and then in theaters in 2027 as part of a retrospective of Renoir's silent films.
Depicting the conflict between social classes, "Catherine" tells the story of Catherine Fran, a young servant in a Maltese family who has to endure the hostility of her employer and the persecution of the local villagers. Although secretly in love with a boy with Maltese tuberculosis, she decides to run away, only to fall into the clutches of a notorious pimp.
Les Films du Jeudi carried out the 4K restoration in collaboration with the Cinémathèque Française and with the support of the French National Film Board (CNC).
The Paris-based company will also be performing Raymond Lamy's "Miroir" (1946) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of star Jean Gabin.
Gabon plays Monsieur Lussac, who leads a double life: by day, he is a wealthy, intelligent and respected tycoon, but by night he becomes the Mirror, a ruthless gang leader in Marseille.
Similarly, Brown said, Les Films du Jeudi is screening Pierre-Gaspard-Hoyt's 1954 crime drama Sophie et Jemer ("The Girl on the Third Floor"), starring Marina Vlady at age 17, as "an impromptu tribute to this wonderful actress who just died." (Wlady died in Paris on Sept. 24 at age 88.)
Based on a novel by Cécile Saint Laurent, the film follows Sophie (Voladi), a passionate but naïve young journalist in Paris who sets out to prove the innocence of a suspected murderer. Jean Gaun and Peter van Eyck also play roles in this film.
CNC likewise supported the 4K remake of "Sophie et le crime."
The latest Les Films du Jeudi release is Jean Becker's 1965 comedy "Tendre voyou" ("The Subtle Villain") starring Jean-Paul Belmondo.
After settling down with wealthy women, the professional seducer of Kennedy's life sets a course for adventure: at a winter ski resort, he meets Muriel, with whom he falls in love. In Tahiti, he cannot satisfy the sexual appetite of Baroness von Strashofer. He eventually falls in love with Veronique, but she doesn't believe him.
Brownberger noted that it is one of Belmondo's "lesser known" films.
The screening is taking place at the same time as the film exhibition at the Cinematheque in Paris, France, as part of the Belmondo retrospective.
Founded by producer Pierre Brunberger, Les Films du Jeudi has a catalog of over 400 films.
According to Film Market President Gerald Dushausi, the premiere presentation for holders of the Classic Film Market catalog has become one of the most popular sessions at the event and was the first to fill this year, underscoring the growing importance of film libraries.