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Under the Roofs of Paris
(Sous les toits de Paris)

Screening on Film
Directed by René Clair.
With Albert Préjean, Pola Illery, Edmond T. Gréville.
US, 1930, 35mm, black & white, 92 min.
French with English subtitles.
Print source: HFA

The street life of Paris in the 1920s provides an exceptionally vivid backdrop to this lyrical story of a love triangle between a street singer, his best friend, and the woman they both love. From the graceful opening pan across the (studio-recreated) rooftops of the title to the multiple variations of its memorable theme song, the enchantment of Clair’s first talkie has remained intact. Even the slight awkwardness of the semi-synchronized soundtrack, as scratchy as if played on a wind-up phonograph, complements its nostalgic, almost anachronistic visuals. That, plus Lazare Meerson’s elegantly spare sets, Armand Bernard’s jingly score, and the naïve but affecting performances, make for a miniaturist masterpiece.

PRECEDED BY

  • Under the Brooklyn Bridge

    Directed by Rudy Burckhardt.
    US, 1955, 16mm, black & white, 15 min.
    Print source: HFA

Artist and filmmaker Rudy Burckhardt spent a lifetime capturing the world around him in an improvised, highly personal style. Among his most beautiful studies is this simple portrait of children swimming under the Brooklyn Bridge.

Part of film series

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Treasures from the Harvard Film Archive: U–Z

Current and upcoming film series

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Chronicles of Changing Times. The Cinema of Edward Yang