Love is My Profession, 1959
Yugoslavian Film Poster
27½ x 19 in. (70 x 48 cm)
Backed on linen
Further images
A coquettish Brigitte Bardot starred opposite Jean Gabin in Claude Autant-Lara's 1958 film En Cas de Malheur, literally translated as 'In Case of Adversity' but released in the United States...
A coquettish Brigitte Bardot starred opposite Jean Gabin in Claude Autant-Lara's 1958 film En Cas de Malheur, literally translated as 'In Case of Adversity' but released in the United States as Love Is My Profession. Adapted from the novel In Case of Emergency by Georges Simenon, the film follows a respectable fifty-something lawyer who begins a steamy extra-marital affair with a young girl named Yvette when she offers her body as payment to defend her in court for shoplifting. François Truffaut called it one of Autant-Lara's best films, noting: "We come out of it with a mixture of disgust and admiration, a sense of satisfaction that is real enough but incomplete. It is 100 percent French, with all the virtues and vices that implies: an analysis that is at once subtle and narrow, a skill that is mixed with spitefulness, a spirit of unflinching observation directed at the sordid, and talented sleight-of hand that delivers a liberal message in the end." The film caused a stir for its racy nude scene, severely limiting its US release. With an arty sense of perspective, this provocative poster for the first Yugoslavian release depicted a similarly titillating scene wherein a seductive Bardot hikes up her tight skirt to give Gabin an eyeful.
Provenance
Very Good (B+)
Backing has smoothed and diminished one vertical and one horizontal fold, with some creasing and small splits to folds. Nicks, creases and small chips to left edge. Tiny loss to centre crossfold. Image and colours otherwise excellent.