Love from Paris(German:Monpti) is a 1957 West Germanromanticcomedy-dramafilm directed byHelmut Käutnerand starringRomy SchneiderandHorst Buchholz.It was based on the novel of the same title byGábor von Vaszary.Vaszary also worked on the screenplay. The cinematographer wasHeinz Pehlke,who used different techniques to convey the mood of the film, including using a concealed camera to capture the sights and sounds of Paris.[1]The film premiered on 12 September 1957 in theLichtburgcinema in Essen. The original copy of the film is archived at theAkademie der Künstein Berlin.[1]
| Love from Paris | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| German | Monpti |
| Directed by | Helmut Käutner |
| Screenplay by | Helmut Käutner Gábor von Vaszary Willibald Eser |
| Based on | Monpti byGábor von Vaszary |
| Produced by | Harald Braun |
| Starring | Romy Schneider Horst Buchholz |
| Cinematography | Heinz Pehlke |
| Edited by | Anneliese Schönnenbeck |
| Music by | Bernhard Eichhorn |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Herzog-Filmverleih |
Release date |
|
Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | West Germany |
| Language | German |
It was shot at theBavaria StudiosinMunichandon locationinParis.The film's sets were designed by theart directorsAlbrecht BeckerandHerbert Kirchhoff.
Plot
editA youngHungarianstudent and a 17-year-old French girl, Anne-Claire, meet in a park in Paris. She calls him "Monpti" (mon p'tit,"my little one" ). They fall in love and enjoy a happy time. Anne-Claire claims to come from a wealthy family, but Monpti finds out that she actually comes from poor circumstances. Angered at having been deceived by Anne-Claire, he tells her off on the street and leaves her standing there. As she runs after his taxi, she is hit by another car. Lying in the hospital, Monpti promises he will marry her, but Anne-Claire dies a little while later from her injuries.
At the same time, the story of a second couple is told, whose relationship stands in stark contrast to the main story.
Reception
editTheLexicon des Internationalen Filmswrote, "In Paris, a hungry 23-year-old artist from Budapest plays an erotic cat-and-mouse game with an orphaned 17-year-old seamstress, until the girl's death from an accident puts an end to it. A melancholic romantic comedy is told by an old Bistro customer who functions as a sort of keyhole peeper in a cabaret-like farce. A melodramatic, compact, at times very suggestive battle of the sexes—male lust and feminine stalling tactics, focusing on a fascinating, young Romy Schneider.[2]
Cast
edit- Romy Schneideras Anne-Claire Jouvain
- Horst Buchholzas (main) Monpti
- Mara Laneas Nadine
- Boy Gobertas (second) Monpti
- Olive Moorefieldas Zaza
- Bum Krügeras man from No. 17
- Iska Gerias woman from No. 17
- Bobby Toddas Fliegenäugiger
- Joseph Offenbachas editorial secretary
- Helmut Käutneras narrator
- Willibald Eseras an acquaintance of (second) Monpti
Sources
edit- Gábor von Vaszary:Monpti. Roman.(Translated into German by the author.) Thiele, Munich and Vienna (2009).ISBN978-3-85179-015-3
References
edit- ^abRolf Aurich,"Heinz Pehlke - Kameramann"CineGraph, Lexikon zum deutschsprachigen Film. Retrieved March 13, 2012(in German)
- ^MonptiLexicon des Internationalen Films. Retrieved March 13, 2012(in German)