A film’s title inspired by a children’s rhyme. That’s the story of Le Pont du Nord. Not a physical bridge in Paris but a cinematic one. Jacques Rivette’s 1981 film Le Pont du Nord uses the city of Paris as its stage. A sprawling Parisian landscape unfolds. It’s a story of two women Marie and Baptiste. Their journey mirrors a game of chance. Their adventures take them across a Paris barely recognizable. This is a Paris of hidden corners and surreal encounters.
The film’s title Le Pont du Nord comes from a children’s song. The song speaks of a bridge collapsing. The characters’ journeys echo this theme of unpredictability. The narrative follows a non-linear path.
Marie is released from prison. She’s searching for her companion. She crosses paths with Baptiste. Baptiste is described as a female Don Quixote. Together they navigate a Paris teeming with a parallel police force. They call them the Maxes. The Maxes seem to watch Marie and Baptiste. Their pursuit adds a layer of mystery to the film’s narrative.
The film heavily features a real and imagined Paris. A Paris in transition. This is a Paris at the end of the post-1968 struggles. The film uses locations rarely seen on screen. Rivette and his team filmed secretly. They captured images on top of the Arc de Triomphe. They filmed on the tracks of the Petite Ceinture.
Bulle Ogier and her daughter Pascale Ogier star in the film. They play Marie and Baptiste respectively. Their performances are central to the film’s success. The mother-daughter dynamic creates a unique dynamic on screen. Their parallel wanderings across the city screen are captivating.
Le Pont du Nord is a film of contrasts. It has received both extremely positive and very negative reviews. The film’s unique portrayal of Paris is a recurring theme in the critiques. The film’s unique use of Paris as a character makes it stand out. This enigmatic movie about Paris is a cinematic journey through a city of mysteries. It’s a journey that continues to captivate and inspire debate even today.