Cafe scene from Le feu follet

The Fire Within (French: Le feu follet) is a 1963 French film directed by Louis Malle. It is based on the novel of the same name by Pierre Drieu La Rochelle. The film stars Maurice Ronet as Alain Leroy, a recovering alcoholic at a rehabilitation clinic in Versailles who has depression. He decides to end his life, but first decides to visit his friends in Paris one last time, in an attempt at finding a reason to continue living. The movie also stars Jeanne Moreau - who had previously worked with Ronet and Malle in Elevator to the Gallows - as well as Alexandra Stewart, Bernard Noel, Lena Skerla, Hubert Deschamps and Yvonne Clech. The score features the music of Erik Satie.
In his 2006 Movie Guide, Leonard Maltin gives the film 3.5 stars (out of four) and calls it "probably Malle's best early film." Roger Ebert wrote that the movie was a "triumph of style."
(source: Wikipedia)
Music: Erik Satie - Gnossienne No. 1

[@canwe455]

I think the key scene of the movie is here. He is looking for a source of motivation to live by observing his close circle in previous scenes and the people around him in this scene. some are motivated, some are sex, some are profitable to steal, albeit a little, some are alive for their child, but our man cannot find what he needs to live, even though he is looking for a lot. and...

[@rmoort5145]

There was a woman who seems to show interest in him, she is shown repeatedly in this scene than any other person, but our hero thought that he might upset her too , so he didn't approach her , I guess, there are many dimensions in this movie, I am trying to understand few.

[@canwe455]

@@rmoort5145 The scenes with his girlfriend at the beginning of the movie actually describe a man's disappointment with women. the man tries to make his relationship with the woman more meaningful. but for this woman it is a kind of adventure, fun ... stay, but she goes. because their work is more important. so the man thinks that the search for meaning in his life cannot be a woman. It is necessary to evaluate the woman in the cafe like this. our man maybe has sex with the woman but this is not what he is looking for

[@rmoort5145]

@@canwe455 ok. It makes sense now. Thank you for replying. Do you Know any movies especially french movies like these, if you know, then please let me Know. One last question from this movie, before he commits suicide, he looks at his maid for 10-15 seconds , why was that, if you know then please let me know, Sorry I am just curious and I may not be intelligent enough to understand these things, but I am humble to know them.

[@canwe455]

@@rmoort5145 you might like some of the movies of french new wave directors; françois truffaut, eric rohmer, claude chabrol, godard ... the first thing that comes to my mind is 'the 400 blows' and I especially recommend the movies "Ma nuit chez Maud". robert bresson; "l'argent" and louis malle; '' Le souffle au coeur '', '' Au revoir les enfants'' these are also good. I hope you will love. "umberto d" and "Stroszek" even if they are not French. nuri bilge ceylan's "distant" is one of my favorite movies. It has been a long time since I watched this movie, I could not remember the scene you mentioned, but I will write that they watched that scene and made me feel as soon as possible. See you

[@rmoort5145]

@@canwe455 thank you, thank you from bottom of my heart for replying, I will surely watch all those movies. Regarding the scene, it's ok my dear friend, take your time and let me know the meaning of the scene. Once again Thank you . 😊🙏💙👍🤝

[@threeletteragent]

One of the most enchantingly understated scenes in cinema history. Absolute mastery.

[@alainvabois-bargioni1386]

Je reste fasciné.

[@youngathon]

Erik Satie's music is perfect for this film.

[@Tobal588]

When I saw this film the first time, I remember that after this scene I was so devastated that I have to stop movie and walked around. It hits so hard.

[@sadiesleepwalker646]

Same, and you immediately think of death of a finale. And just ruined and lost.

[@AleksandreBurchuladze]

Sometimes I feel just like that, seeing that in cinema made me burst into tears.

[@AdamovBagdanovjade]

at this moment he realise that behind faces behind events there is nothing so he just sealed his fate with little drink

[@DarkLight-oz4jc]

Adamov Bagdanov Exactly. He realises that life has no sense, is kinda big theater stage, people are all fakes, acting, everything is superficial and empty... This scene is very emotional, it says it all. No words needed. Also I find that Satie's piano perfectly matches and adds to the feeling.

[@theirishrheingold6817]

this scene is just so haunting and beautiful. The sensitivity and emotional complexity with which Malle and Ronet handle this scene just blows my mind.The tortured soul just looking for a way out.

[@tdylf]

This movie, and specifically this scene, rips my heart out every time. Thank you for sharing.

[@rmoort5145]

When I am sad, my mind plays that music sometimes.

[@MrLouloureed]

Sublime Maurice Ronet. Un très grand acteur.

[@LD28469]

N'empêche cette scène, c'est peut être celle qui m'a le plus touché dans toute ma vie de cinéphile. Formellement : C'est parfait, les images concordent parfaitement avec la musique de Satie. Puis, Je me sens comme Ronet. Il regarde ces gens... Certains son heureux... Comment font-ils ? Qu'est-ce la vie ? Nous ne sommes finalement rien, et ces gens vivent tous des vies semblables sans aucun sens. Ronet est merveilleux et cette scène me fera toujours autant pleurer. La seule capable de le faire.

[@Metonymie12]

LD28469 Ce que tu écris est si beau... Je connais bien ce sentiment. S'offusquer du bonheur des autres : comment font-ils pour être si paisibles, si peu dérangés ? Sont ils aveuglés ? Suis je psychotique ?

[@1970gah]

Ils font juste semblant...

[@labrige5210]

C’est le piano de Satie qui rend triste. Supprimez le son et tout change... il n’empêche que cette scène est parfaitement émouvante.

[@nnelson7529]

Entièrement d'accord 👏👏

[@jobrandnew78]

Je cherchais des films sur la solitude je pense.. vu les commentaires que je vais le regarder ^^

[@ryanron]

BEST Movie for all time

[@shers5020]

Ryan R cure

[@berkerkan3215]

Persona and Holy mountain better but elegant film u right

[@amalbergedartois5252]

Probablement la meilleure et plus émouvante des scènes du cinéma français.

[@romantylczynski3074]

RONET GENIUSZ

[@sandraraymondciarrocchi5237]

Says so much. The Satie music is very much there.

[@hamtataroro]

Il n'est pas seulement tragiquement beau, il est terriblement magnétique. Et ce désespoir toujours dans ses yeux.

[@andrejpetrovic2664]

This is a real piece of art

[@TurboMintyFresh]

I have felt depression on a level I wouldnt wish upon my worst enemy. I can relate to this scene so much

[@IM4fLEX]

Death is emptiness. You have a life so fill it with joy, love, dedication. There is a director who once said, "We are all actors in this big movie and God is the director." I don't know about the god part, but the first part of the quote is what makes me think. Life is what you make of it, 100%.

[@user-lv7id1ch1f]

This is my top10 of best movie scenes ever

[@mahzunyuzlu535]

yes, that oppressing anxiety against "life", something which we all feel from time to time. you feel out of place, defeated after the efforts of trying to make some meaning out of it. at some point the reality becomes so "thin" that you feel suffocated, seems that there is nowhere left to breathe. and you just want to tear it apart and reach to the other side. but it passes. it does. don't give in to all that absurdity, embrace it, rather. embrace and go with the flow.

[@user-yt7ij6tm4v]

Μια απο τις πιο δυνατες σκηνες στην ιστορια του κινηματογραφου,ο ηρωας βλεπει γυρω του τον κοσμο,την κινηση,την ζωη,που γλιστραει και χανεται απο αυτον... ειναι ενας ξενος... απλα συγκλονιστικη σκηνη...

[@samuelarrez2113]

No entiendo pero seguro es hermoso. Like.

[@user-yt7ij6tm4v]

@@samuelarrez2113 can you write it in english?

[@samuelarrez2113]

I do!

[@user-wo2bd4rd8z]

@@samuelarrez2113 el comentario dice en griego que este escena es una de los mas poderosos en la historia del cine. Eso porque el protaganista observado los moviemientos, la vida que sigue y perdido.... y el sentido como un extraño. Asi al final encuentra compaña en la bebida.

[@NinetteSeBallade]

Exactement. Jamais je n'ai réussi à retrouver une telle intensité dans un film français.

[@johnwilliamadlington1552]

???? C'est un film français

[@romantylczynski3074]

GENIUSZ ,WIELKI WSPANIALY , POSĄGOWY

[@if6was929]

He's in pain.

[@youngathon]

Louis Malle , much underrated ! . Maurice Ronet was perfect for this flick ! A real good one !

[@fijjiffifjfijfi]

Наверное самый тяжёлый фильм из всего, что доводилось видеть. Когда самоубийство - это серьёзный экзистенциальный выбор взрослого человека, без лишних драм, без лишнего юношеского пафоса. Ни миллион долларов, который упадет с неба, ни революция, ни ведущий психиатр мира - ничего из этого не изменит решения человека, который осознанно и основательно выбрал небытие в пользу бытия.

[@mwells219]

1:22 Yeah I’ve done this a few times.

[@michelebaronnie5211]

sublime acteur avec cette toute petite mèche se cheveux en virgule sur le côté devant. et quelle classe.

[@forestwalker4081]

サティのこの曲が流れると、パリのカフェから見える風景も何となく孤独な寂寥感に満ちてくる。 砂糖をくすねる爺さんが、人に見られてハッとする顔には笑ってしまったけどね。

[@TheGolot]

“Kendimi öldürüyorum çünkü beni sevmediniz. Çünkü sizleri sevmedim. Çünkü bağlarımız çok gevşekti. Bağlarımız güçlensin diye kendimi öldürüyorum. Sizi silinmez bir lekeyle baş başa bırakıyorum.”

[@berkerkan3215]

❤❤

[@omercelikkeser]

❤

[@Nihilistwriter]

In the La Rochelle's novel, Alain Leroy is subjugated by drugs, particularly heroin and not alcohol. This is a detail that is missing in the film, which however perfectly reflects the suffering of the protagonist, imprisoned in a bourgeois society that he does not accept and that he must necessarily accept in order to live. Death seems the only way out for Alain. A pessimistic, nihilistic and well made film!

[@fegoru]

Yes, and in the danish version "Oslo, 31st August" by Joachim Trier, the protagonist is a heroin addict again (there's also a scene similar as this, where the character listens to the people that surrounds him in a coffee shop share their innocent dreams and wishes about life...suddenly the camera goes with a woman that's jogging trough a park...I like it also very much.

[@banupaul09]

I feel how he feels himself.

[@furkanuner8989]

:(

[@fays0198]

like everyone loves you but you feel empthy?

[@romantylczynski3074]

MAURICE RONET GENIALNY SUBTELNY ELEGANCKI STYLOWY ROMANTYCZNY SUBTELNY WYRAFINOWANY ELEGANCKI WIELKI CHARYZMATYCZNY MAESTRO

[@crashmancer]

Yes. By the end, all of his problems are gone forever, and he never has to worry about anything again.

[@toikissa8734]

He is in hell, where his real troubles start

[@vugpgu]

Як гарно одягнені! Який чепурний офіціянт. Зараз такого немає: все низькоякісне, невиховане і брудне

[@brandnews352]

Why is it so now?

[@jamesnilphat1148]

It feels more relatable if you love to eat alone.

[@trendlesstube]

That was stunning. If you're looking for the same-type genre film with a central protagonist hero i would totally recommend watching "Alienation the film". It's gonna hit the festivals in spring.

[@alikilic9701]

god no longer believes in me.

[@pidjou]

excellent, merci

[@DirectorJonasGrum]

This is life for me.. Kærlighed til LM

[@sspirits8]

No, it's a terribly sad film. :(

[@ninaalaoui1281]

éternel maurice ronet

[@15ragby]

Луи Малль обессмертил себя этим фильмом.

[@jmbussiere2605]

C'est ça "le spleen de Paris".

[@infinitelyconciousness]

One of the movies i like to watch again and again in specific life-crisis... i wish i could read the book in german. i can find it only in french in the internet. because the movie is based on a book...

[@user-jh8ct3mc6n]

Tout est là....

[@srzar]

Didn't know they made a movie about my life.

[@IM4fLEX]

Hits home for me too.

[@deriamutlu]

Absolute wonder

[@kaksjsndnsmsmks34]

perfect

[@mohabmagdi]

Oslo 31 august

[@ADGO]

a great film

[@ericpetit1893]

Boire pour tout oublier

[@annemarierobalo3167]

Des écrits si triste 😢

[@pascalperret2728]

Le héros du roman de Drieu la Rochelle est un drogué et le film en fait un alcoolique. Je n'ai jamais su la raison de cette modification.

[@real7G]

Gnossenienne

[@stephaned7079]

Fulgurant.

[@dominiquemessager3008]

Scène, tourner au café de Flore ( Paris )❤

[@user-ki4hw5uc5v]

Тоже обратил внимание. Интересно, почему в кадре не появился Сартр? Я его там искал глазами.

[@Dramacidal1]

je ne suis pas une force de la nature

[@blakecandesign9628]

How did you get Ben Affleck to pose for the thumbnail photo? 🤷‍♂️

[@drop___]

GUALA GUALA

[@yvesgerard1308]

" Fin de parcours " ....

[@cagataysar8598]

Deha Gülhan

[@thecyclonicbear]

the absurdity of faces passing by

[@allthesecars]

@AnnaKarina2 Does it seem like it has a happy ending?

[@fourplay8374]

Montreal, 24 October 2018

[@williamwalton946]

Oslo, 31 August

[@fourplay8374]

​@@williamwalton946now we are connected william!

[@grubio-vm7sq]

Alain should have done that bird, might have cheered him up a bit.

[@dysvanlist]

I was asking myself the same, but he probably feels that he's to damaged to go to her

[@michelgandilhon6613]

Pavane pour un Paris défunt...

[@jeanphilippegoutx9258]

Comment doit on vivre avec des mortels qu'on aime?

[@AlejandroRes]

Disociating between hundred of people, people who which never will be known. Feeling like a ghost in the daylight among other ghosts. There is no way out, and there is nothing to be done. In the next months I will sign a divorce, and also have a paternity test. If negative I will end my existence on the same day , if positive I will tattoo on my arm 2:09 Leroy''s face as a reminder, as a reminder to never give up for me and my kid. All decisions has been took.

[@NinetteSeBallade]

No, I don't think so.

[@reginescupboard]

@AnnaKarina2 No, not very happy I'm afraid.

[@billusingh6043]

Where to download this

[@reginescupboard]

@allthesecars How could you tell that from a two-minute clip?

[@mblc3201]

Ama acıktım Feridun abi

[@heyjoe66]

Burayı da mı bastınız

[@williamwalton946]

Buraya nasıl geldin

[@koke-tm6bg]

美しい✨🤍

[@elizabethh1930]

from 1:00 like the music in amelie. lovely

[@cruiseberry1121]

Elizabeth K Except this music was written some 90 years before...

[@dddtriple]

So busted 1:18

[@StoryoftheEye]

[@AnnaKarina2]

How sad...I never saw this film. Does it have a happy ending?

[@mohabmagdi]

AnnaKarina2 YES

[@pjrosello]

Define happy... :/

[@sedmikraskyoh6994]

@@mohabmagdi ehhhh.....

[@Claytone-Records]

Spoiler Alert No

[@rmoort5145]

He will kill himself in the end.

[@malikmohamed8517]

What name is music

[@stromae7903]

Gnossienne 1 Erik Satie

[@malikmohamed8517]

@@stromae7903 thank you👍❣️

[@achdjianfinearts]

sans musique .. avec le bruit de la rue ou de la vraie vie !!! les images auraient plus de poids ... une epoque où l'on essayait presque de faire vibrer les fauteuils afin de faire croire à la réalité !! complétement idiot .. a t on besoin de faire vibrer le parquet d'un musée ou d'un appartement lorsque l'on contemple un tableau d'un grand maitre ???? a t on besoin de mettre un accompagnement musical ?????

[@nicogrez2772]

He kills himself at the end, sorry.

[@trashl0rd]

Spoiler. We all die in the end.

[@Belacroix5]

Why would you do that?

[@alfredoduende9578]

He's dead for a long time.

[@pjrosello]

@@Belacroix5 because world is fulfiled by idiots.... sad, isn it?

[@pjrosello]

If you liked the film.why to do that to others? Son of a bitch.

[@MY-lo6cg]

I like how this scene stands in stark contrast to the previous one with loud, aggressive seemingly nonsensical small talk with two Alain's acquaintances