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Henri-Georges Clouzot

Lloyd, Christopher

Authors

Christopher Lloyd



Abstract

Despite his controversial reputation and international notoriety as a filmmaker, no full-length study of Clouzot has ever been published in English. This book offers a significant re-evaluation of Clouzot’s achievement, situating his career in the wider context of French cinema and society, and providing detailed and clear analysis of his major films (Le Corbeau, Quai des Orfèvres, Le Salaire de la peur, Les Diaboliques, Le Mystère Picasso). Clouzot’s films combine meticulous technical control with sardonic social commentary and the ability to engage and entertain a broad public. Although his films are characterised by an all-controlling perfectionism, allied to documentary veracity and a disturbing bleakness of vision, Clouzot is well aware that his is an art of illusion. His fondness for anatomising social pretence, the deception, violence and cruelty practised by individuals and institutions, drew him repeatedly to the thriller as a convenient and compelling model for plots and characters, but his source texts and the usual conventions of the genre receive distinctly unconventional treatment.

Citation

Lloyd, C. (2007). Henri-Georges Clouzot. Manchester University Press

Book Type Authored Book
Publication Date Jun 1, 2007
Deposit Date Jul 24, 2007
Publisher Manchester University Press
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1126828
Publisher URL http://www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/catalogue/book.asp?id=1211