Albert Simonin

Candide or The Optimism in the 20th Century

Charming and innocent, Candide is vigorously chased away by the Baron, for his close encounters with the pretty Cunégonde. World War II breaks out, and when he is drafted and taken prisoner, he is forced to take German nationality and ends up guarding the camp where he was imprisoned. He crossed into Switzerland, but as he had no bank account, he was incarcerated for eight days for trespassing. Hunted by the Gestapo, he kills two men to free Cunégonde, who has finally been found. They both flee to Argentina, and their world tour begins. In Paris, Moscow, New York, Borneo and Alexandria. They try to follow Dr. Pangloss' optimistic rule of life. Tossed about, separated, they find themselves grown old and wiser, thinking only of cultivating their garden on the shores of the Mediterranean.

A Bullet in the Gun Barrel

Back from Indochina, Tony and Dick, two French soldiers, are now in possession of more than 20 million, entrusted by a trafficker. They buy a nightclub in the district of Montparnasse but are soon hunted by the thug who wants to recover his money.

Burning Fuse

Lola, the wife of arms dealer Pedro Wassewich, is attracted to Ludovic, a young painter who turns out to be the emissary of a notorious gangster. He claims to have been sent by the latter to pick up a shipment. In fact, it's the police who, behind the scenes, orchestrate the operation to catch Wassewich red-handed.