The Public Woman is a thought-provoking and surreal drama that explores the themes of manipulation, politics, and identity. The film follows a woman who leads a double life as a wife and a photographer, and her experiences with psychological experiments and abuse. Set in postmodernist France, the movie delves into the complexities of eroticism, filmmaking, and surrealism. With its avant-garde style and intense exploration of sexuality and mental illness, The Public Woman is a unique and captivating cinematic experience.
In 'The Iron Mask,' identical twins, one of whom is imprisoned with a mask on his face, switch places to help their country. They face various challenges including fights and deceit, all while trying to maintain their false identities. Based on a novel, this movie explores the bond between brothers.
During the Second World War, in occupied Paris, a group of high school students is more active at selling cigarettes and silk stockings than at studying. But the day a new philosophy teacher takes charge of their class, things begin to change. It must be said that Mademoiselle Bravard is not only a gifted educator but a charming young woman as well. Thanks to her, all the students end up passing their finals.
Philippe and Sylvie have to do with Alvarez, a dangerous gang leader. They break up with him and commit robbery and murder. Sylvie suggests that Philippe take refuge in his quiet family. His younger sister Antoinette attracts and charms Philippe and excites the jealousy of Sylvie who informs Alvarez. The police get involved and Philippe is killed during a merciless fight.
Lady Diana Winham is beautiful, wealthy and a widow, so she's courted. She travels Europe in luxury trains, earning her nickname. One of her riches, a uranium deposit in a South American country, attracts the attention of international secret agents. Lady Diana is at the center of a spider's web, with the French, British and Germans all trying to get their hands on her. Helped by the love of Armando, whom she met in San Miguel, she gives the deposit to her secretary Gérard as a reward for his services.
A woman returns after twenty years to Toulon where her husband, who collaborated with the nazis, was murdered. Her motives are unclear.
Thérèse, who has come from the city, has married the sad Louis Raboux, a violent peasant who dies under unclear circumstances. Thérèse stays at the farm with Célestin, who loves her, but dares not say it out of shyness. The arrival of Pierre, who knew Louis and has something to hide, complicates the situation. Célestin's jealousy, which the maid Julia tries to console. Thérèse and Pierre's passionate love. The police arrest the young man and Célestin chases Thérèse, who falls from the roof. Célestin throws the body into an abyss, only to see Pierre reappear. In a rage, he too rushes into the ravine, from which Thérèse emerges, a new miracle-worker, ready to throw herself into the arms of her lover.
A drifting woman hangs out in the suburbs of Marseille. A young engineer picks her up drunk and takes her to the hospital. He does not know then that it is the Countess Armance de Lunegarde, driven from her home and performing as a gummy in third-rate music halls.
Marie-Thérèse is firmly involved in a charity dedicated to the rehabilitation of prostitutes. She approaches Marcelle who, for the love of Pierre, an honest painter, hides her dishonorable profession, and she befriends Maria, in love with the gentle René. Marcelle's aunt is murdered, and her daughter arrested. Marie-Thérèse sets out to prove her innocence, but the two boys learn all about the two unfortunate women. Pierre is unforgiving. Happier, Maria will start a new life with René.
Betrayed by his wife, a teacher proceeds to have an affair with a young and pretty student. The two women both find themselves expecting a child. The girl dies during childbirth. In a spirit of revenge and to keep his real son, the scorned husband exchanges the babies.
Four young friends share the carefree, cheerfulness, laughter and dances of Bohemian life. Rodolphe the painter, Alexandre Chaunard the composer, Colline the philosopher, as well as Marcel and his friend Musette. Mimi, a romantic young girl, falls in love with Rodolphe.
Micheline Bertier is as wise as she is graceful, and is the perfect assistant to her boss, couturier Maurice Darnal. Darnal's business is faltering and he has to close down. Micheline's family is also in trouble. Her crazy-headed sister is about to steal her fiancé away from her. At the suggestion of singer Jacqueline François, Micheline goes on tour as an accompanist, and meets up with Darnal in Nice, full of projects he wants to involve her in. Micheline, who arrives in time to save her sister from a suicide attempt, will know how to run the new fashion house.
Dr. Claude Moulin leaves his wife and child for a younger woman but the child needs attention and the wife falls very ill.
On the very day of his wedding, Valentin Le Barroyer sees the one he was to marry fly away. Hélène has always loved her cousin André, to the great displeasure of her aunt who had combined the failed marriage. The two lovers take refuge in the Dordogne at the home of Hélène's grandmother who believes them to be really husband and wife. Valentin finds the young couple too late, he only has to console himself with a friend of Hélène's.
The life story of famed French aviatrix Helene Boucher is detailed in Horizons sans fin (Endless Horizons). Giselle Pascal stars as Boucher, who is first seen in 1930, leaving her millinery shop behind in favor of the wild blue yonder. Though the world of aviation was still essentially an all-male one (despite England's Amy Johnson and America's Amelia Earhart), Boucher perseveres, eventually breaking all existing male and female speed and height records. A bit slow on the uptake in the dramatic scenes, the film soars (no pun intended) during the aerial sequences. Horizons san Fin was the winner of the Catholic Award at the 1953 Cannes Film Festival.
Benjamine, the daughter of the chocolate maker Lapistole, has broken down in her car, spends a night at Paul Norman's, imposes herself casually and causes the break-up of the engagement of this peaceful civil servant with the daughter of his department head. A friend maintains contact between Paul and Benjamine, becomes the head of publicity at Lapistole and when Norman is dismissed through Benjamine's fault, brings his two friends closer and proves to them that they are made for each other.
A young garage owner, Henri, whose business is not going well, fixes the lovely Gloria's car on the road. She suggests he let part of his garage to her friends.
An unscrupulous reporter investigates the discovery of a corpse in the trunk of a car stolen by his young brother, a petty criminal.
Wendy is the British guest of a French couple and the daughter of the man who saved the host's life during World War II. Living with the couple is their 20-year-old son and a 12-year-old nephew whose parents were killed in an automobile accident. The father and son both try to seduce the attractive guest. The young boy retreats into his own world and dreams of being taken back to Britain by Wendy in this romantic drama. The mother spends her time bleaching her hair and is seemingly uninterested in anything that goes on with her family at the beachfront villa. Meanwhile, Wendy and the younger boy develop a fondness for each other, while his aunt and uncle fail to understand his needs.
Juillet is a young orphan girl who returns to the town she was born in to find her mother. She tries to befriend her yuppie neighbors Marie and Jacques with comic consequences. The thrilling part (supposedly) of the film finds Marbas as a timid psycho killer who targets pretty young women.