Black Roses
Black Roses

Movie spotlight

Black Roses

1935
Movie
93 min
German

Erkki Collin is a hunted man. The Czar’s soldiers have been close on the heels of the leader of the rebellious Finns, who have been fighting the Russian occupiers since the end of the 18th Century. His flight leads him to the chambers of the dancer Marina Feodorowna, in whose house a party is taking place at that very moment. Marina discovers the intruder, hides him from his pursuers and soon falls in love with him. But hiding Erkki forever is not an option; so she presents him as her music teacher. The swindle fails and Prince Governor Abarow, who’s long had a thing for Marina, discovers the real identity of the man, but doesn’t have him arrested.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: Jean-Pierre MelvilleGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

In 1930s Paris, a wealthy industrialist's son falls for a mysterious cabaret singer, unaware of her troubled past and the dangerous connections she keeps. As their love blossoms, they become entangled in a web of deceit and ambition, forcing them to confront difficult choices that could shatter their future.

Critical Reception

Black Roses (Les Roses noires) received a mixed reception upon its release. While praised for its atmospheric direction and the performances of its leads, some critics found the plot to be overly melodramatic and predictable. Audiences, however, were drawn to its romantic storyline and visual style.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually striking with a captivating atmosphere.

  • The romantic leads offer compelling performances.

  • The narrative struggles with melodrama and predictability at times.

Google audience: N/A

Fun Fact

The film was notably one of the few French films of the era to tackle themes of class disparity and the allure of the cabaret lifestyle with such directness, which was considered somewhat daring at the time.

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