Jean-Pierre Melville: Master of Noir, French New Wave Legacy
Jean-Pierre Melville wasn't just a film director; he was a cinematic sculptor, meticulously crafting each frame into a potent blend of American crime thriller and uniquely French existentialism. His films evoke the stark shadows of classic American noir, yet resonate with the anxieties and uncertainties of post-war France. He didn't merely film; he orchestrated each shot, performance, and location into a cohesive whole, resulting in movies that are both visually arresting and profoundly moving....