The Princess Royal Centre will host an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the film ‘The Story of Adèle H’ next month, with those involved in the filming interviewed for a special short film to mark the anniversary.
The mini documentary, organised and funded by the Victor Hugo Center, is to be shown ahead of the premier.
It’s being made by filmmaker Lars Janssen who has been collecting stories and memories from those locally who were involved in its creation back in 1975.
The film, directed by François Truffaut, was shot in Guernsey and is based on the life of Victor Hugo’s youngest daughter, Adèle.
Many local people were involved in the filming, including actors from GADOC, extras, and carpenters, who all helped tell her tragic story.
Adèle’s life was marked by mental illness.
She became obsessed with a British army officer, Albert Pinson, while living with her family in exile in the Channel Islands. Despite his rejection, she pursued him relentlessly, even following him to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Barbados.
Her mental state deteriorated, and she began to experience delusions, including falsely claiming to have married him.
Eventually, Adèle was found wandering the streets in a state of physical and mental decline.
She was ultimately returned to France and placed in a mental institution, where she remained for the rest of her life, outliving all of her siblings and her father.
The ‘75 retelling of her story earned recognition, with an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for Isabelle Adjani and numerous international awards. The film won 11 international awards in total.
It also holds a special meaning for many local islanders, and that’s for a variety of reasons according to Mr Janssen.
“I think it’s special for a variety of reasons, not only because it was majority filmed here, which is quite unique, especially back in 1975 because nothing like that really happened. I mean, it’s still quite rare.
“I think it’s very important with the connection to Victor Hugo. I mean, it’s always been a huge influence on the island, and still is today. It always draws attention from either locals, but also from people abroad.”
Mr Janssen continued: “Most reasons why people still attending the island, going to his house, go to particular events, or, of course, hopefully, you know, in the future, very soon, the Victor Hugo centre, I think that will definitely underline the importance and influence.”
Tickets are available through Guernsey Tickets or the Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts. Tickets for the film screening are free but need to be booked in advance.
The event has been sponsored by Saffery Trust, and organised by The Victor Hugo in Guernsey Society and the Victor Hugo Centre.
