Le Beau Serge

Often cited as the first French New Wave film, Le Beau Serge announced Chabrol’s preoccupation with the darker side of human nature. François, a Parisian student, returns to his home in the countryside while recuperating from an illness only to find his childhood friend mired in alcoholism. Shot on location in his mother’s hometown, Chabrol’s film uncovers violence and despair in the ordinary everydayness of provincial life.

Contains themes of domestic violence or abuse and drug use.

The screening of Le Beau Serge on Sunday 20 September will be introduced by academic Catherine Dousteyssier-Khoze.