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The Great Hope

Scenes and images from the French Communist Party's (PCF) 1937 Congress in Arles. La Grande Espérance highlights some of the PCF's new concerns under the Popular Front: a warning against international fascism, a desire for organic unity, and the defense of national heritage and regional cultures. It also reveals the first signs of a cult of personality surrounding Maurice Thorez. La Grande Espérance was screened (and possibly re-edited) after the Liberation. A commentary was then added to the credits emphasizing the continuity of the Communist Party’s political line and the sacrifice of its activists during the war. Today, only this post-1945 version exists.

Top Cast

  • Maurice Thorez

    Maurice Thorez

    Himself

  • Marcel Cachin

    Marcel Cachin

    Himself

  • Jacques Duclos

    Jacques Duclos

    Himself

  • Danièle Casanova

    Danièle Casanova

    Herself

  • Benoît Frachon

    Benoît Frachon

    Himself

  • Georges Politzer

    Georges Politzer

    Himself

  • Marie Politzer

    Marie Politzer

    Herself

  • Joseph Ramier

    Joseph Ramier

    Himself

  • Martha Desrumeaux

    Martha Desrumeaux

    Herself

Overview

Scenes and images from the French Communist Party's (PCF) 1937 Congress in Arles. La Grande Espérance highlights some of the PCF's new concerns under the Popular Front: a warning against international fascism, a desire for organic unity, and the defense of national heritage and regional cultures. It also reveals the first signs of a cult of personality surrounding Maurice Thorez. La Grande Espérance was screened (and possibly re-edited) after the Liberation. A commentary was then added to the credits emphasizing the continuity of the Communist Party’s political line and the sacrifice of its activists during the war. Today, only this post-1945 version exists.

Rating

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