L’Or et le plomb (1966)
The story is based on Voltaire's tale "Le monde comme il va" ("The world as it is"). Sent by the genie who presides over the destiny of Persepolis (Paris!), the Scythian Babouc carefully informs himself of everything, to tell the genie whether or not to destroy the city. This is the pretext for a series of interviews, scenes taken on the spot or reconstructed in the studio. We meet a musician who lives for his art and a Marxist historian, both of them optimists in the end; but also a war widow and an economically weak old lady: while the "fureur de vivre" gives free rein to the Golf Drouot and socialites hide their turpitudes behind a façade of good manners. A large, poorly housed family bravely faces up to its fate, and the children are happy; a working-class household talks about the union struggle, inhumane working conditions and reasons for hope. Finally, a poet sums it all up by talking about his commitment to the service of mankind.
Director: Alain Cuniot
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Alain Cuniot as Babouc |
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Emmanuelle Riva as World's woman |
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Michel Legrand as Musician |
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Jeanne Dewerpe as Old lady |
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Raymond Gerbal as Worker |
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Jean Massin as Historian |
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Max-Pol Fouchet as Poet |
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Yvonne Clech as Dinner guest |
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Irène Schavelzon as Dinner guest |
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José Valverde as Reciter (voice) |
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Fanny Renan as Dinner guest |
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Catherine Leccia as Dinner guest |
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Maddly Bamy as Dinner guest |
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Andrée Cottet as Dinner guest |
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François Dalou as Dinner guest |
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Yvan Peuck as Dinner guest |
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Pierre Vielhescaze as Dinner guest |
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Guy Cayat as Dinner guest |
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Marcel Champel as Dinner guest |
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Pierre Cuniot as Pianist at dinner |
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Bernhard Klein as Usher |
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Paul Bisciglia as Usher's clerk |
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Valta Rozsaffy as |
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Zouzou as Girl at rock concert (uncredited) |
| Writing | Voltaire | Writer |
| Writing | Alain Cuniot | Writer |
| Directing | Alain Cuniot | Director |
