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San Sebastián Festival Celebrates José Giovanni's Legacy
4 Aug
Summary
- Festival features 20-film retrospective of José Giovanni's work.
- Program spans films from 1960 to 2001, including screenplays.
- Giovanni shaped French crime cinema with raw, physical style.
The San Sebastián Film Festival is dedicating its 74th edition to José Giovanni, a pivotal figure in French postwar crime cinema. A 20-feature retrospective will run from September 18-26, showcasing his directorial work from 1960 to 2001.
The program also highlights eight screenplays Giovanni penned for esteemed directors like Jean-Pierre Melville and Claude Sautet. Born in Paris in 1923, Giovanni transitioned from novels and screenplays to directing, characterized by a raw, physical filmmaking style that profoundly influenced the French crime genre.
His turbulent life, including a death sentence commuted to hard labor, informed his writing. Novels like 'Le Trou' and 'Classe tous risques' were adapted into seminal films. His directorial debut, 'Law of Survival' (1967), explored recurring themes of the French Resistance, the Corsican milieu, and betrayal.
Organized with the Basque Film Archive and Spanish Film Archive, the retrospective includes a bilingual study. This tribute cements Giovanni's legacy as a master of French polar cinema, celebrated for his exploration of loyalty, honor, and the marginalized.
