Paris 36 (French: Faubourg 36) is a 2008 French romantic drama film directed by Christophe Barratier. This film is set in 1930s Paris.
The song "Loin de Paname" (lyrics by Frank Thomas, music by Reinhardt Wagner), sung by Nora Arnezeder, was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song. The film is a co-production of France, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
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Plot
The stage manager of a popular music hall is charged with murder. During his confession, we see the story of the music hall and its entertainers in flashback. When the music hall closes down, a trio of unemployed friends vow to bring the business back from the dead by staging a musical they hope will be a hit. If their gamble pays off, they'll have the money to buy the theater for themselves and the power to control their own destinies.
Cast
Gérard Jugnot as Pigoil
Clovis Cornillac as Milou
Kad Merad as Jacky
Nora Arnezeder as Douce
Pierre Richard as Monsieur TSF
Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu as Galapiat
Maxence Perrin as Jojo
François Morel as Célestin
Élisabeth Vitali as Viviane
Christophe Kourotchkine as Lebeaupin
Eric Naggar as Grevoul
Eric Prat as Commissaire Tortil
Julien Courbey as Mondain
Philippe du Janerand as Triquet
Stéphane Debac as The Social Services Inspector
Marc Citti as L'inspecteur du Quai des Orfèvres
Reception
Paris 36 received mixed to positive reviews. It holds a 64% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 83 reviews, with an average score of 5.93/10. The site's consensus states: "Sweet and light, this homage to French vaudeville – and Francophilia in general – is pretty, but its air of nostalgia occasionally borders on the saccharine." On Metacritic, based on 19 critics, the film has a 40/100 rating, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.