A French UN delegate has disappeared into thin air, sending reporter Moreau (played by Melville himself, a full year before his memorable cameo as Parvulesco in Breathless) and hard-drinking photographer Delmas (Pierre Grasset, Le Deuxième Souffle) on an assignment to find him. Their only lead is a picture of three women. Set against a smoky jazz score and featuring stunning black-and-white cinematography that beautifully captures the gritty streets at night, this is Melville’s love letter to New York City—where it was partially shot—and homage to the American film noir he so loved.

Presented on a 2K DCP courtesy of Cohen Film Collection.