JEAN RENOIR'S MASTERPIECE 'RULES OF THE GAME'!

 

One of the first filmmakers to be known as an Auteur..legendary French director Jean Renoir's masterpiece was romantic satire 'La Regle du Jeu' ('Rules of the game'). Among the greatest works of world cinema, this film completed 80th anniversary year!

Director Jean Renoir (middle second) with artists in 'Rules of the game'!

One of the costly French films of that time..'Rules of the game' was produced by Claude Renoir & Jean Jay in 1939. Director Jean Renoir himself wrote this film with German screenwriter Karl Koch! It depicts bourgeois life of upper-class royal people and their ordinary servants in France at the onset of World War II. This focused on their weak moral with some funny and romantic visuals!

Renoir used sophisticated cinematic techniques for this film. He took long shots by.. using deep-focus cinematography and his cameraman Jean - Bachelet did great job in it. Then director's lov partner Marguerite Renoir specially edited this film! Hungarian-French composers Joseph Kosma & Roger Desormiere also contributed through their unique music in it!

Beautiful actresses romantic in film 'Rules of the game'!

Apart from writing-directing Jean Renoir also portrayed wise character Octave who develops the mood of this satire by his comic mannerism! With him famous Nora Gregor and Roland Toutain are sort of romantic lead in it and artists like Paulette Dubost, Marcel Dalio, Mila Parely accompanied them in creating farce!

In releasing a film Renoir faced difficulties because of ban by Nazis on that region in wartime. "Undesirable influence on young generation" - Authority mentioned as a reason! So film suffered and not gained it's required response..critical acclaim and commercial success! Then in 1956 this film rediscovered and was screened in 'Venice Film Festival'.

Jean Renoir in conversation with two actresses in film 'Rules of the game'!

After that, this film started getting critical acclaim and honours as one of the greatest films in the history of cinema! Then in 1975 this legendary film - maker Jean Renoir who worked from silent era to talkies.. received 'Oscar's 'Lifetime Achievement Award' for outstanding contribution to the motion picture!

Tribute to this Auteur and his masterpiece!!

- Manoj Kulkarni