Name: Gardiens de phare (The Lighthouse Keepers) Director: Jean Grémillon Studio: Films du Grand Guignol Starring: Paul Fromet, Geymond Vital, Genica Athanasiou, Gabrielle Fontan Release Date: October 4, 1929 (France) Runtime: 82 minutes Format: Black-and-white, silent film with French intertitles Country: France Language: Silent (French intertitles) Genres: | Drama | Silent Film | Psychological Thriller | Maritime | --- Summary: Gardiens de phare (translated as The Lighthouse Keepers) is a 1929 French silent drama directed by Jean Grémillon. The film unfolds on a remote lighthouse off the coast of Brittany, where a father and his son are stationed for a month-long duty. Their isolation is compounded when the son, Yvon, is bitten by a dog suspected of rabies. As a storm traps them at the lighthouse, Yvon's condition deteriorates, leading to a descent into madness. The narrative intertwines their harrowing experience with flashbacks of Yvon's fiancée awaiting his return, unaware of the unfolding tragedy. The film explores themes of isolation, madness, and the human psyche under duress. --- Background: Gardiens de phare is based on a play by Paul Cloquemin and Paul Autier, which had been a popular success at the Grand Guignol theatre. The film was produced by Films du Grand Guignol and features a screenplay by Jacques Feyder. Cinematography was handled by Georges Périnal, known for his work in French cinema. The film was shot on location in Brittany, capturing the stark and rugged landscape that mirrors the psychological tension within the story. Notably, the film is considered one of Jean Grémillon's early works, showcasing his emerging directorial style that would later define his career. --- Trivia: * The film is considered a classic example of early French cinema, highlighting the psychological depth achievable in silent films. * Gardiens de phare was Grémillon's final silent film before transitioning to sound cinema. * The film's preservation was a fortunate occurrence; it was rediscovered in Denmark in 1954 after being considered lost for many years. * The lighthouse featured in the film is located off the coast of Brittany, an area known for its maritime history and dramatic coastal scenery. * The film's exploration of madness and isolation has drawn comparisons to German Expressionist cinema, particularly The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920). --- Hashtags: \#GardiensDePhare #TheLighthouseKeepers #JeanGrémillon #SilentFilm #FrenchCinema #PsychologicalDrama #MaritimeFilm #Brittany #FilmHistory #EarlyCinema