Cast : Charles Aznavour, Nicole Berger, Marie Dubois
1960 / Neo-noir. thriller / France / original title : TIREZ SUR LE PIANISTE / 80’ / Noir & blanc / status : completed / French / long feature-film / French and International catalog
Based on the novel by David Goodis, ‘Down There’ Charlie Kohler, the pianist at Plyne’s Bistro, is a sad, absent-minded, secretive man. His strange brothers are in trouble with some crooks. One evening, one of them is being chased and seeks refuge with Charlie in the bistro. Léna the waitress is in love with Charlie and knows about his past. Charlie – whose real name is Edouard Saroyan – was a great pianist until his wife Thérésa committed suicide. Léna wants to help Charlie to become Edouard once more. Together they hand in their notice to Plyne, but he starts a fight, and Charlie kills him. The couple goes on the run.
NEW 4K UHD UDR
This restoration by Hiventy Transperfect was made possible with support from CNC.
Press
“A masterpiece of the Film Noir genre. Not to be missed.”
The New York Observer
“Truffaut set up American Noir only to gun it down. ★★★★★”
Empire
“One of Charles Aznavour's most memorable screenrole.”
Mark Kermode, BFI
“Truffaut crafts his most liberated and mischievous film. Brilliant, sardonic, and nonchalant.”
Le Monde
“Wonderful. ★★★★★”
Time Out
“The character played by Charles Aznavour had a profound effect on me and on many other filmmakers.”
Martin Scorsese
