Still Life by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview
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Still Life
Page 97
The Rules of the Game
Finn and Susie take seats in The Projection Room theater at 2:48 PM. At 3, Oscar Pynchon climbs the stage to make a few introductory comments.
“’The Rules of the Game,’ original French title; ‘La Règle du Jeu’ is/was a 1939 French satirical comedy-drama film directed by Jean Renoir. The ensemble cast includes Nora Gregor, Paulette Dubost, Mila Parély, Marcel Dalio, Julien Carette, Roland Toutain, Gaston Modot, Pierre Magnier and Renoir.
Renoir's portrayal of the wise, mournful Octave anchors the fatalistic mood of this pensive comedy of manners. The film depicts members of upper class French society and their servants just before the beginning of World War II, showing their moral callousness on the eve of destruction.
At the time, ‘The Rules of the Game’ was the most expensive French film made. Its original budget of 2.5 million francs eventually increased to more than 5 million francs. Renoir and cinematographer Jean Bachelet made extensive use of deep focus and long shots during which the camera is constantly moving; sophisticated cinematic techniques for 1939.