Girl Merchants

Synopsis

"Girl Merchants" (original French title "Marchands de filles") is a 1957 French drama directed by Marcel Carné and starring Georges Marchal. The film explores the dark and gritty underbelly of human trafficking and exploitation, focusing on the trafficking of young women into prostitution. Set against the backdrop of post-war France, it unfolds a story that criticizes social and economic conditions that allow such crimes to flourish. The narrative delves into the lives of victims, traffickers, and those caught in between, presenting a harsh but compelling portrayal of this exploitative world. Its intense drama and social commentary offer the viewer a challenging look at morality and survival.

Cast

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  Georges Marchal

  Mister John

• 

  Agnès Laurent

  Josette Legrand

• 

  Daniela Rocca

  Bettina

• 

  Saro Urzì

  Mottina

• 

  Roger Duchesne

  Gofferi

• 

  Anne-Marie Mersen

Reviews

Critical reception of "Girl Merchants" has been mixed. On IMDb, the film holds a rating of 5.2 out of 10, indicating moderate to mixed opinions from viewers. Many critics have praised the film's ambition to tackle a taboo subject and its attempt to shed light on human trafficking during an era when such themes were rarely addressed on screen. Georges Marchal's performance was generally well-received as compelling and sincere, adding depth to the grim storyline. However, some audiences and reviewers found the pacing slow and the narrative sometimes overly melodramatic, which detracted from the film's overall impact. The film lacks a fresh perspective compared to more modern takes on similar themes, which has influenced its lower ratings on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes where it does not have a large critical consensus. Despite its flaws, "Girl Merchants" remains noteworthy for its raw depiction and historical value in French cinema. As one critic noted, it is "a courageous yet imperfect snapshot of post-war societal ills," making it an important if not entirely successful cinematic effort.