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Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (English and Japanese with French subtitles)
Location
Main screening room
Date
June 14th, 2024
Duration
107 min
Cycle
Islands of perdition

Remote and mysterious, whether hostile or enticing, infernal microcosms or dreamed worlds, islands have long captivated the imaginations of filmmakers. By their very isolated nature, they often serve as metaphoric or literal settings of loss and introspection, inviting exploration and oblivion. Enclosed by water, they provide ideal backdrops for intimate dramas and intense adventures, their geography shaping the narrative. As many real-world islands face existential threats, we invite you to explore a few fictional isles where cinema has found its enchanting refuge along the shore.

Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison
Directed by
John Huston
Language
English and Japanese with French subtitles
Actors
Deborah Kerr, Robert Mitchum
Origins
USA
Year
1957
Duration
107 min
Genre
Adventure, drama, war
Format
Digital
Synopsis

During the Second World War, Corporal Allison, whose submarine has been wrecked, is stranded on a Pacific island. The only living soul he meets there is a nun, Sister Angela. As events unfold, from the Japanese takeover of the island to the landing of the American army, their relationship evolves, with all the complexity that their respective horizons and desires imply.

Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison

John Huston

Born in 1906 in Missouri, John Huston was the only son of journalist Rhea Gore and Canadian-born actor Walter Huston. He quickly dropped out of school to pursue a career as a boxer, before trying his hand at acting following his father's footsteps. Over the following years, he spent extended periods of time in Mexico and Europe while starting to write. Upon his arrival in Hollywood, he penned screenplays for William Wyler, Raoul Walsh and Howard Hawks, among others, before transitioning to directing films in 1941 with The Maltese Falcon, which was an immediate success. During World War II, he shot documentaries while serving in the military. The major works he directed after the war allowed him to establish himself as a leading director, while also pursuing an acting career. Until the 1980s, he built a diverse and unpredictable body of work, mirroring his passionate life, divided between cinema, painting, horses, the United States, Ireland and Mexico.

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Cast
About John Huston
Filmography
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