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Why This Film?
🎬 Exploring the Criterion Collection, one spine at a time.
In each episode, I sit down with film historians, critics, filmmakers, and scholars for in-depth conversations about a single film from the Criterion Collection.
I'm Ron, and I guide these expert-driven discussions examining the artistry, cultural significance, and historical context of classic and contemporary cinema. From French New Wave masterpieces to American westerns, from experimental shorts to beloved classics, we unpack what makes these films essential viewing.
Whether you're a longtime Criterion collector, a film student, or simply curious about cinema history, Why This Film? offers thoughtful analysis and engaging conversations about the movies that shaped filmmaking.
New episodes release 1-2 times monthly. Subscribe to join me for deep dives into the Criterion Collection.
Why This Film?
Touchez pas au grisbi (1954, Jacques Becker) with Ginette Vincendeau - Criterion Collection Spine #271
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"If retirement means you're in a lovely flat in Paris and your fridge is full of foie gras and champagne - I'm okay with that."
In episode 2 of Why This Film?, Ron discusses Jacques Becker's Touchez pas au grisbi (1954) with Ginette Vincendeau, one of the most influential scholars of French cinema working today.
Together, they explore how Grisbi reshapes the gangster genre through efficient storytelling and the routine life away from violent action. They move through the film's pacing, its focus on aging and friendship, and the authority of Jean Gabin's performance.
Ginette brings her expertise to questions of women's roles in French cinema and society, masculinity, and filmmaking of this period.
And as always, Ginette answers the central question: Why is this film included in the Criterion Collection and why does it still matter today?
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