THE GANG OF FOUR
Intimations of conspiracy hover over a group of actors in this underrated but decidedly major work from New Wave master and former Cahiers du Cinema editor-in-chief Jacques Rivette. Four young women share a house on the outskirts of Paris and study acting under a demanding teacher (Bule Ogier). Outside class, each is questioned by a mysterious investigator on the trail of a former roommate who may be involved in a criminal enterprise. Rivette’s characteristic preoccupation with the intersections between daily life and performativity creep into every corner of this wholly engrossing mystery, which eventually expands beyond the confines of the film itself. Shot by DP Caroline Champetier (HOLY MOTORS) in a glorious late-80’s palette of deep reds, golden yellows, and dark teals, this playful revisiting of his debut PARIS BELONGS TO US launched the second phase of Rivette’s career.
DIRECTOR
Jacques Rivette
PRODUCTION
PIERRE GRISE PRODUCTIONS (PARIS)
LIMBO FILMS S.A. (ZURICH)
LA SEPT
MINISTÈRE DE LA CULTURE
DÉPARTEMENT FÉDÉRAL DE L’INTÉRIEUR BERNE
SOFICA INVESTIMAGE
CANAL+
CAST
Laurence Côte
Fejria Deliba
Bulle Ogier
Benoît Régent
DETAILS
Drama
French with English subtitles
France, Switzerland
2h40
1988
DISTRIBUTOR
Cohen Film Collection