In this classic French satire, Louis, a convict, escapes from prison and takes on legitimate work, making his way up in the business world. Eventually becoming the head of a successful factory, Louis opts to modernize his company with mechanical innovations. But when his friend Émile finally leaves jail years later and reunites with Louis, the past catches up with them. The two, worried about being apprehended by police, long to flee the confines of industry.
Direction
René Clair's rhythmic, musicalized staging of factory life.
Production
Absurdly gorgeous Art Deco sets that swallow humans whole.
Editing
Sonic and visual gags cut with the precision of machinery.
Director
René Clair
Henri Marchand
Émile
Raymond Cordy
Louis
Rolla France
Jeanne
Paul Ollivier
Paul Imaque, l'oncle
Jacques Shelly
Paul
Germaine Aussey
Maud
Léon Lorin
Le vieux monsieur sourd
André Michaud
Le contremaitre
Maximilienne
Une invitée au diner
Alexander D'Arcy
Le gigolo
Eugène Stuber
Un gangster
Marguerite de Morlaye
Une invitée au diner
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Chaplin allegedly paid Clair to avoid a plagiarism lawsuit over Modern Times' similarities—Clair refused, calling imitation the sincerest form.
The factory's assembly line sequences were shot at the actual Citroën plant, making workers unwitting extras in their own satirical exploitation.
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