Daybreak (1939) DVD-R

Starring: Jean Gabin, Jacqueline Laurent, Jules Berry, Arletty
Directed by: Marcel Carné
Print: Black & White
Runtime: 93 minutes
Genre: Drama / Poetic Realism
Language: French, English subtitles

*Le jour se lève* (*Daybreak*; 1939) is a seminal French film directed by Marcel Carné, a cornerstone of the poetic realism movement. The narrative unfolds in a non-linear structure, beginning with François (Jean Gabin), a factory worker who has committed murder and barricaded himself in his apartment. Through a series of flashbacks, the film delves into his tragic love affair with Françoise (Jacqueline Laurent), entanglements with the manipulative Valentin (Jules Berry), and the complex dynamics with Clara (Arletty), Valentin's former lover. The film explores themes of love, jealousy, and fate, set against the backdrop of pre-World War II France.