Second instalment in the Cinéastes de notre temps series, Jacques Rozier’s Jean Vigo reunites many members of the ‘Vigo band’ still living and active in 1964. Their words provide an important contribution, and above all cast new light, on the film-maker’s work. They are: Charles Dorat (Goldblatt), friend, author of song lyrics; Gilles Margaritis, actor; Pierre Prévert, filmmaker; Maurice Bessy, journalist; Jean Dasté, actor; André Négis, Marseille journalist; Albert Riéra, friend, script co-writer, assistant; Jean Painlevé, director; Dr. Caussat, high-school classmate; René Lefebvre, actor; Jacques-Louis Nounez, producer of Vigo’s films; Jean Lods, director; Claude Aveline, novelist and journalist; Paul Grimault, occasional extra, director of animation films; Dita Parlo, actress; Michel Simon, actor. A unique document, Rozier’s television program also bears the signature of its author, himself a great director and editor, who had already made Adieu Philippine and most of his short films.

Bernard Eisenschitz