Vive la république (1997) Directed by Eric Rochant
Comedy / Drama
aka: Long Live the Republic
Film Synopsis
Driven to virtual despair by their own economic circumstances, a mixed
group of unemployed people decide to band together and form their own
political party. This seemingly mad idea is proposed by Henri, a
divorced father who is unable to find work, but it is readily supported
by Victor and Emile, who are in a similar position. They are
joined by Sabine, whose RMI earnings are a small compensation for her
eight years at university, reformed drug addict Yannick, Solange, a
one-time Communist, and several others. As the party grows, it
becomes apparent that someone within it is acting to neutralise its
effectiveness - but who?
In his letters to his friends and family, Franz Kafka gives us a rich self-portrait that is surprisingly upbeat, nor the angst-ridden soul we might expect.
In the 1910s, French cinema led the way with a new industry which actively encouraged innovation. From the serials of Louis Feuillade to the first auteur pieces of Abel Gance, this decade is rich in cinematic marvels.