Dans la nuit (film)

Dans la nuit is a 1930 French silent film directed by Charles Vanel. The film stars Vanel himself, alongside Sandra Milowanoff and Jean-Louis Allibert. It tells the story of a railway worker, Julien, who suffers a traumatic brain injury in an accident. Following the accident, Julien experiences severe personality changes and violent episodes, jeopardizing his relationship with his wife, Éliane, and his grip on reality. Dans la nuit explores themes of mental illness, trauma, and the destructive power of unchecked emotions. The film is notable for its experimental camerawork and expressionistic style, reflecting Julien's fractured mental state. It is considered a significant work in French cinema and a precursor to later psychological dramas.