The Lovers on the Bridge (Leos Carax, 1991) | New 4K Restoration

The Lovers on the Bridge [Les amants du Pont-Neuf] 
(Leos Carax, 1991, 126 min, France, French w/ English subtitles, DCP)

-- Introduced by Prof. Anne-Gaëlle Saliot (Romance Studies/Cinematic Arts)

Leos Carax’s delirious saga of l’amour fou burns with an intoxicating stylistic freedom as it traces the highs and lows of the passionate relationship that develops between a homeless artist (Juliette Binoche) who is losing her sight and a troubled, alcoholic street performer (Denis Lavant) living on Paris’s famed Pont-Neuf bridge. Capturing their romantic abandon with a giddy expressionist energy—especially in a wild dance sequence set against an explosion of fireworks— this whirlwind love story is an exhilarating journey through a relationship that confirmed Carax’s status as one of the leading lights of the post–New Wave French cinema.

This 4K restoration was carried out by TransPerfect Media from the original 35mm film negative and multi tracks. Color grading supervised by Caroline Champetier, sound by Thomas Guader. Project supervised by Sophie Boyer, Jean Pierre Boiget and the StudioCanal team. Digitization and restoration done with the support of the CNC and the participation of Theo Films.

"... a lush cinematic painting of love, passion, and madness expressed in a romantic surrealist style and images charges with color and magic." - Sean Axmaker

"... one of the most splendidly reckless films ever made -- the film that might have torn through the mind of Godard's Pierrot le Fou, after love made him paint his face blue and tie sticks of dynamite to his hair." - Stuart Klawans, The Nation

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