Sierra de Teruel (Days of Hope, André Malraux and Boris Peskine, 1939–45)

André Malraux was a novelist, critic, and a towering figure in 20th century French arts and culture. He was also the country’s first minister of culture, appointed in 1959 by President Charles de Gaulle. Adapted from his novel, Malraux’s lone film Sierra de Teruel chronicles his experience fighting with Republican forces in the Spanish Civil War. The film was privately screened a few times in 1939 but was banned and shelved when France declared war on Germany. It was not shown to the public until 1945 and then only in a heavily truncated version. A conversation between Jean-Louis Jeannelle, professor of 20th century French literature at the University of Rouen, and Maggie Flinn, Ohio State associate professor of French and associate professor of theatre, film, and media arts, follows the screening. In French with English subtitles. (78 mins., DCP)