Le dossier 51
Encyclopedia
Dossier 51 is a novel by Gilles Perrault
. In 1978 it was made into a French film, directed by Michel Deville
. Deville and Perrault won a César Award for Best Writing
for their adaptation. The film was screened in the Un Certain Regard
section at the 1978 Cannes Film Festival
.
The book resembles a dossier (file) containing notes, memos, wiretap transcripts, expense reports and interoffice correspondence (including administrative details, even some bickering) written in various personal styles. Every department in the organization is identified by a Greek or Roman god: Jupiter, Mercury, Esculape, Mars, etc. The targets of their investigations have their names replaced by numbers: 51 for the target, 52 for his wife, and so on, further dehumanizing the proceedings.
A psychoanalysis of the target is conducted, people near him are influenced. Ultimately it is established that the target may be a closet homosexual. A sexual encounter with another man is set up in order to create basis for blackmail. Shortly after that successful sexual encounter, the target is killed in a single car accident - possibly suicide. The book/dossier concludes with an irrelevant administrative memo, there is no remorse whatsoever about the tragic consequences of the investigation.
Gilles Perrault
Gilles Perrault is a left-wing French writer and journalist.He attended the Collège Stanislas de Paris and then studied at the Institut d'études politiques, eventually becoming a lawyer, a profession he worked in for five years....
. In 1978 it was made into a French film, directed by Michel Deville
Michel Deville
Michel Deville is a French film director and screenwriter.Deville started his filmmaking career in the late 1950s, paralleling the emergence of the French New Wave directors...
. Deville and Perrault won a César Award for Best Writing
César Award for Best Writing
This is the list of winners and nominees of the César Award for Best Writing .-1975–1979:*1975: Bertrand Tavernier, Jean Aurenche: Que la fête commence...
for their adaptation. The film was screened in the Un Certain Regard
Un Certain Regard
Un Certain Regard is a section of the Cannes Film Festival's Official Selection. It is run at the Salle Debussy, parallel to the competition for the Palme d'Or.This section was introduced in 1978 by Gilles Jacob...
section at the 1978 Cannes Film Festival
1978 Cannes Film Festival
The 31st Cannes Film Festival was held on May 16-30. This festival saw the introduction of a new non-competitive section, 'Un Certain Regard', which replaces 'Les Yeux Fertiles' , 'L'Air du temps' and 'Le Passé composé'.- Jury :*Alan J...
.
The Story
A secret organization (presumably a foreign intelligence service though this is never made clear) attempts to coerce a French diplomat into working for them.The book resembles a dossier (file) containing notes, memos, wiretap transcripts, expense reports and interoffice correspondence (including administrative details, even some bickering) written in various personal styles. Every department in the organization is identified by a Greek or Roman god: Jupiter, Mercury, Esculape, Mars, etc. The targets of their investigations have their names replaced by numbers: 51 for the target, 52 for his wife, and so on, further dehumanizing the proceedings.
A psychoanalysis of the target is conducted, people near him are influenced. Ultimately it is established that the target may be a closet homosexual. A sexual encounter with another man is set up in order to create basis for blackmail. Shortly after that successful sexual encounter, the target is killed in a single car accident - possibly suicide. The book/dossier concludes with an irrelevant administrative memo, there is no remorse whatsoever about the tragic consequences of the investigation.
Cast
- Françoise Béliard - Sylvie Mouriat
- Patrick ChesnaisPatrick Chesnais- Biography :Patrick Chesnais was born in La Garenne-Colombes, Hauts-de-Seine. He was educated at the Lycée Pierre Corneille in Rouen.In 1989, he won the César Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in the film La Lectrice directed by Michel Deville...
- Hadès - Jenny Clève - L'agent 747, femme de ménage de 51
- Jean Dautremay - Esculape 3
- Gérard Dessalles - Brauchite
- Jean-Michel DupuisJean-Michel DupuisJean-Michel Dupuis is a French theatre, TV and film actor.- Filmography :* 1980 : La Boum by Claude Pinoteau* 1981 : Eaux profondes* 1983 : The Death of Mario Ricci...
- Agent Hécate 8446 - Isabelle Ganz - L'allumeuse
- Sabine Glaser - Paméla
- Nathalie Juvet - Marguerite Marie
- Françoise Lugagne - Madame Auphal
- Christophe MalavoyChristophe Malavoy-Selected filmography:* Madame Bovary* Le Cri du hibou* La Balance* A Captain's Honor* Le Voyage en douce* Death in a French Garden-External links:...
- L'agent 8956 - Claude Marcault - Liliane Auphal / 52
- François Marthouret - Dominique Auphal / 51
- Jean MartinJean MartinJean Martin was a French actor of stage and screen. Martin served in the French Resistance during World War II and later fought with the French paratroopers in Indochina. Theatrically, he is perhaps best-known for originating two roles in Samuel Beckett's most famous plays: Lucky in Waiting for...
- Vénus - Marie Matile - L'amie de Sylvie Mouriat