A Nous la Liberte

A Nous la Liberte is a French film directed by one of cinema’s great early visionaries, René Clair, that was released in 1931. This film stars Raymond Cordy as Louis, Henri Marchand as Émile, and Rolla France as Jeanne and contains elements of comedy, romance, and musical. Noted for its excessive wit and Clair's unique and innovative use of sound and music, A Nous la Liberte unfolds much more like a carefully choreographed dance or a visual symphony than a traditional narrative film.

The film tells the story of two convicts, Louis and Émile, who are incarcerated in a bleak French prison for a crime they did not commit. We get to witness their monotonous life of repetitive labour where they're reduced to being not much more than mechanical components of a human assembly line. Their only respite comes from dreaming of the freedoms of the outside world. This initial sequence is shot with a pronounced focus on the machinery, magnifying the dehumanising effects of mechanized work.

One day, the convicts craft an ingenious escape plan. Louis manages to escape, leaving Émile behind. Despite their separation, both men share a simultaneous dream of freedom and pursue it in their respective ways.

In the outside world, Louis doesn't simply cherish his newfound freedom, he capitalises on it. He starts as a small-time thief, then over time, due to a series of fortunate events, he becomes a wealthy industrialist, owning a phonograph factory. His factory closely resembles the prison they were in, where the workers function almost as automatons in the monotonous and rigid production line - an ironic symbol towards the mechanisation of modern life.

While Louis enjoys the spoils of capitalism, Émile languishes in prison, but eventually, he too gains freedom. The paths of the two friends cross again under unforeseen circumstances. Émile ends up working in Louis's factory, but remains blissfully unaware of Louis’s position as the factory owner. The story takes a turn when Émile recognizes Louis, leading to a series of comic and grave scenarios, and a brewing romance between Émile and Jeanne, who is also working in the factory.

As the story evolves, Clair’s message becomes louder and more poignant. He aims not only to depict the dehumanizing and automating aspects of the industrial society but also delivers a scathing critique of capitalism's exploitative nature, showing how it turns every aspect of human life into a commodity. The echoes of this message could also be seen as reflective of the rising socio-political sentiments common during the time of its release.

The unique power of A Nous la Liberte lies not just in its satirical narrative, but also in the strong performances of the lead actors, Cordy and Marchand. Cordy, with his wide-eyed innocence and roguish charm, embodies Louis's character beautifully. He embodies a man who's born anew in the world of capital and finds his footing in an effortless fashion. Marchand, on the other hand, infuses Émile's character with a sense of earnestness and benevolent simplicity.

The film's female lead, Rolla France, offers a layered performance as Jeanne. She portrays the character's conflicted emotions and stubborn spirit with remarkable grace and subtly. Her burgeoning chemistry with Émile offers some of the most heartwarming moments in the film.

Innovative cinema techniques like montage and long shots coupled with a riveting score heighten the mood of each scene. The iconic score of A Nous la Liberte enhances both the comedic as well as the social commentary elements of the plot.

While the narrative of A Nous la Liberte is full of wit and humour, it carries a potent social critique. It's a film that intertwines individual stories of friendship, ambition, love, and regret within broader themes of mechanisation, capitalism, and the endless pursuit of freedom. Throughout, the film maintains its light-heartedness, making it not just a thought-provoking watch, but an incredibly enjoyable one.

A Nous la Liberte not only marked a significant achievement in the evolution of French cinema but also became a timeless classic that continues to resonate on a global scale. René Clair's directorial prowess shines through every frame, transforming this film into a stand-out cinematic experience.