L'Argent
dir. Marcel L'Herbier · 1928
Nicolas Saccard orchestrates a publicity stunt to save his failing business, manipulating those around him, including the aviator Jacques Hamelin and his wife, Line. As the layers of deceit unfold, the film immerses viewers in a world where ambition and desire collide, revealing the emotional toll of corporate greed and personal betrayal.
The business tycoon Nicolas Saccard is nearly ruined by his rival Gunderman, when he tries to raise capital for his company. To push up the price of his stock, Saccard plans a publicity stunt involving the aviator Jacques Hamelin flying across the Atlantic to Guyana and drilling for oil there, much to the dismay of Hamelin's wife Line. While Hamelin is away, Saccard tries to seduce Line. Line finally realizes that she and her husband were pawns in Saccard's scheme, and she accuses him of stock fraud.
Talking points
- the ethics of ambition
- the impact of wealth on personal relationships
- gender dynamics in a capitalist society
- the nature of love and betrayal
