The classic French film "Les Enfants due Paradis" ("Children of Paradise") will be presented Thursday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. by the Utah Film & Video Center.
In French, with English subtitles (and over 3 hours in length), it will be shown in the Salt Lake Art Center auditorium, 20 S. West Temple. Admission is $5.Time has not dimmed the power of this 1944 epic, made toward the end of the Nazi occupation of France. An uncommon emotional experience and an opulent production, "Children of Paradise" is considered by critics one of the greatest movies of all time.
Director Marcel Carne's romantic look at theater players in 1840s Paris is not a film of groundbreaking technique, but the set design, strong performances and clever, never self-conscious dialogue (by Jacques Prevert) make this a memorable film.
The story has a pantomimist (a brilliant performance by Jean-Louis Barrault) in love with the an actress (Arletty), but complications prevent him from expressing his love - except on the stage.
Despite complex plotting, it's a simple story, but there is great wit and intelligence, along with startling production values and superb performances, which more than make up for any feeling of the show being dated. - Chris Hicks