POLICE

France, 1983, 113 minutes, Colour.
Gerard Depardieu, Sophie Marceau, Sandrine Bonnaire.
Directed by Maurice Pialat.

Police is a straightforward study of police on a case, drug-dealing in Paris and Marseilles. It was written and directed by Maurice Pialat, best known internationally for such films as Loulou, Under Satan's Sky, Van Gogh.

Gerard Depardieu portrays a hardworking policeman, tough in his investigations. He is investigating drug-dealers with North African and Marseilles connections. We see him in interrogations, working with partners, infatuated by a drug dealer, prepared to lose everything for her, only to be betrayed by her.

The film is straightforward in its presentation, the early sequences merely a range of interviews. However, as the film becomes more complex, we are drawn into the interactions of criminals, lawyers, police. There are betrayals and individuals having to decide their values and what they stood for. While the plot is reminiscent of so many British and American thrillers, the film emphasises the personal dramas.

1.The title of the film? The status of police in the '80s? The public and their response to police, the administration of the law, detection, justice? The police as ordinary citizens involved for protecting society? The pressures on the police? How well were these issues dramatised in the characters, the plot?

2.Paris settings, Marseilles? Police precincts, apartments, restaurants, prison? Musical score?

3.The stark style of the film? Television influence? The early sequences and the interviews? The strong focus on individuals, close-ups? The close-ups on people's lives and values?

4.Mangin and Gerard Depardieu's screen presence? Interrogating suspects? His stances, skills at investigation? The use of violence? Pressures? His own personal life? Marie as his partner and her mellowing him? His contacts with the lawyer, the visits with him, accusing him of going over to the criminals? The investigations, the visits to the restaurants? Prison? The meeting with Noria, questions, in prison - her release, the infatuation, the affair? His being deceived and used by her? The lawyer discovering the relationship? His final decisions, the money, the drugs, the criminals? The final deal? His future?

5.The picture of the police precinct, the officials, the collaboration, detection and clues, information? The interrogations and imprisonment? Moral standards? Drugs, violence?

6.The world of the criminals, families, connections, not giving information, betrayals? Meetings and pressure? Drugs, North Africa, Marseilles? The young man imprisoned? The rest of the family supporting him?

7.Noria, her relationship with the arrested man? Her lies, in prison? Her release, the money? Her protecting herself, the lies, the liaison with the policeman? Her telling the truth?

8.The contacts on the street, the prostitute and her information? The links with the lawyer?

9.The lawyer, his background, connections with criminals? Contacts with the police, being tainted by the criminals? His shock at the liaison between the officer and Noria?

10.Popular police themes? Plot, characters? The focus on issues - and the exploration, French style?