Le Ciel Est A Vous

Arguably Gremillon's finest directorial achievement, this picture tells the true tale (based on the 1938 flight of Mme. Dupeyron) of a garage owner (Vanel) and his wife (Renaud), who both become fascinated with flying. They sacrifice everything for this passion and are rewarded when Renaud sets the woman's distance flying record. Gremillon was one of the few French directors who refused to flee during the Nazi occupation of France, choosing instead to make pictures that could take on a second meaning. It was said that flying in this film represents the goals and ideals of those fighting for the Resistance; however, the Germans never second guessed Gremillon.