Character Relationship Map: Happy New Year

Characters

• Simon (played by Lino Ventura) — protagonist

  Primary robber who plans and executes a heist at a Cannes jewelry store with his accomplice. He uses a disguise to scout the location, becomes romantically involved with Françoise, and is arrested whe...

• Françoise (played by Françoise Fabian) — supporting

  Owner of an antique shop next to the target jewelry store. She attracts Simon's attention during his reconnaissance and offers him companionship. After his arrest, she visits him in jail and promises...

• Jeweler (played by André Falcon) — supporting

  Manager of the Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry shop targeted by the robbers. Simon uses a disguise to establish familiarity with him. During the heist, the jeweler is held at gunpoint and forced to pack je...

• Prison Warden (played by Gérard Sire) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Simon → Prison Warden (Professional Prisoner And Warden) — The warden's announcement temporarily releases Simon from prison, enabling him to reconnect with Françoise and pursue his plans.

  The Prison Warden announces that Simon has been granted special parole to celebrate the holiday at home.

• Simon → Françoise (Romantic Interest) — Their attraction grows through negotiations and disagreements about the antique table, but Simon's robbery and renewed imprisonment threaten their relationship.

  Simon contacts Françoise after leaving prison, and their exchanges become flirtatious. After his arrest, he tells her the table was a way of reaching...

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Simon → Jeweler (Conflict Robber And Victim) — Simon turns the jeweler into a direct victim of the planned robbery, using force to obtain valuables.

  During the robbery, Simon and his partners target the jeweler's premises. The jeweler is held at gunpoint and forced to pack jewels and cash before Si...

Story Analysis

A holiday romance develops alongside Simon's concealed robbery plan, ending in arrest and an uncertain bond with Françoise.

Plot Progression

1. Parole and the Antique Table — Simon receives holiday parole and contacts Françoise. Their encounters begin through the sale and gifting of an antique table.
2. Courtship Through Negotiation — Simon and Françoise argue and flirt while discussing the table and broader questions. Their attraction grows through the holiday celebrations.
3. The Hidden Robbery Plan — Simon reveals a larger plan involving the table and a jewelry store. He and his partners attempt to reach and rob the safe.
4. Alarm and Arrest — The safe and vault remain open too long, triggering an alarm that traps the robbers. The police announce their imminent entry, and Simon is arrested.
5. Love Behind Bars — Françoise visits Simon and asks whether the table was merely part of the robbery plan. Simon insists it was also his way of reaching her, leaving their future uncertain.