poetic realism

Poetic realism was a cinematic movement in France that flourished from 1934 to 1940. It is characterized by a brooding pessimism and a focus on ordinary people, often depicted in bleak urban settings. These films reflected the public's despair during a period of political instability and the looming threat of war.1

Key directors associated with poetic realism include Jean Vigo, Jacques Feyder, Julien Duvivier, and Marcel Carné. Their works, such as Duvivier's Pépé le Moko (1937) and Carné's Port of Shadows (1938) and Daybreak (1939), are noted for their dark, atmospheric style and exploration of fatalistic themes. While rooted in realism, these films often employed poetic and stylized elements to convey a sense of mood and emotional depth.12