Feedback from previous festivals indicated that some of you would like an old-fashioned musical so here it is, Jean Renoir’s 1954 film about the founding of the Moulin Rouge inParis. This remastered film is as vigorous, as colourful and as entertaining as ever. The story may be a little clichéd and it is probably not politically correct by today’s standards but everyone in the film seems to be having fun by the time we reach the magnificent finale.
Jean Renoir deftly pays homage to the paintings of his father, Auguste Renoir, and other impressionists such as Toulouse-Lautrec and Degas as he takes us back to a nostalgic Parisof the late 19th century. The impresario Danglard is planning to launch his latest club – the Moulin Rouge – with a revival of the French dance, the Cancan. We are treated to the entertainments of a working classMontmartre and the well-to-do bourgeoisie that frequent them. There are love affairs galore, what else, and we follow Danglard in his quest to seduce the young laundry girl, Nini, whose dancing skills have delighted him. Despite all of the tribulations along the way, “the show must go on” and the ending is a triumphant spectacle with its exuberant and colourful performance. Put on your dancing shoes as you’ll be hopping and jumping on your way out.
Bonus: watch out for the cameo performance by Edith Piaf.