The New Babylon (1929) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A love story is destroyed by the political violence and opposing loyalties of the Paris Commune.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Paris After the War

The film opens in Paris during the spring of 1871, immediately after the Franco-Prussian War. The city is entering a period of political upheaval.

Key Events

• Franco-Prussian War Ends — The Franco-Prussian War has ended, creating the political conditions for upheaval in Paris. Location: France
• Springtime Paris — The story begins in Paris during the spring of 1871, amid major political turmoil. Location: Paris
• The New Babylon Store — A wholesale store in Paris provides the civilian setting for the central personal story. Location: The New Babylon
• Salesperson's Daily Life — A young salesperson works at the wholesale store while the city faces political conflict. Location: The New Babylon

A Store Divided

A salesperson works at the wholesale store known as The New Babylon. Political involvement begins to pull private life away from ordinary commercial routines.

Key Events

• Salesperson's Daily Life — A young salesperson works at the wholesale store while the city faces political conflict. Location: The New Babylon
• Commune Involvement — The salesperson becomes involved with the Paris Commune during the citywide crisis. Location: Paris
• Rural Youth Arrives — A young man from the countryside is drawn into the conflict despite having no political affiliations. Location: Paris

Love Across the Conflict

A rural young man is compelled to fight for the French government, while the salesperson is involved with the Commune. Their love develops across opposing political positions.

Key Events

• Forced Military Service — The politically unaffiliated young man must fight as a soldier for the French government. Location: French government-controlled territory
• Opposing Political Sides — The two central figures are placed on opposing sides of the Commune conflict. Location: Paris and military territory
• Love Across Divisions — The opposing figures are in love, creating a personal bond inside the political conflict. Location: Paris

Repression Takes Hold

The political crisis intensifies and leaves no secure place for the lovers. The Commune's defeat brings judgment and punishment.

Key Events

• Turmoil Destroys Possibility — Political turmoil leaves the lovers no safe or peaceful place for their relationship. Location: Paris
• Commune Defeated — The conflict moves toward repression as the Commune's political position collapses. Location: Paris
• Arrest and Judgment — The Commune-associated figure is brought before a court during the aftermath of the conflict. Location: Paris

The Grave of Love

A court imposes a death sentence on the Commune-associated figure. The government soldier is ordered to dig a grave for the person he loves, completing the film's tragic separation.

Key Events

• Death Sentence — The court sentences the Commune-associated figure to death. Location: Court in Paris
• Grave-Digging Order — The government soldier is ordered to dig a grave for the condemned person he loves. Location: Paris
• Tragic Final Separation — The lovers' relationship ends under the violence and political divisions of the Commune period. Location: Paris

Story Breakdown

• Postwar Paris — The film establishes Paris in the spring of 1871 after the Franco-Prussian War.
  • War Aftermath — The recent war creates the historical conditions for instability.
  • Commune Era — The Paris Commune becomes the central political setting.
• Storefront Life — The New Babylon provides the civilian environment from which the personal conflict emerges.
  • Wholesale Store — The Paris store is the workplace of the central civilian figure.
  • Ordinary Employment — Commercial work contrasts with the surrounding political crisis.
• Political Division — The two central figures are drawn into opposing sides of the conflict.
  • Commune Commitment — One central figure becomes involved with the Commune.
  • Government Army — The other central figure is required to fight for the French government.
• Forbidden Romance — Love connects the central figures despite their incompatible political positions.
  • Opposing Loyalties — Their political commitments place them on opposite sides.
  • Love Under Turmoil — The surrounding violence leaves their relationship without a safe future.
• Judicial Repression — The conflict's aftermath converts political opposition into legal punishment.
  • Court Proceedings — The Commune-associated figure is judged by a court.
  • Death Sentence — The court imposes a sentence of death.
• Gravebound Ending — The final command forces military duty and personal love into a devastating collision.
  • Burial Command — The soldier is ordered to dig a grave for the condemned figure.
  • Irreversible Separation — Political violence permanently destroys the lovers' relationship.

Directed by

Leonid Trauberg, Grigori Kozintsev

Key Cast

• Yelena Kuzmina — Louise Poirier, the shop-assistant
• Pyotr Sobolevsky — Jean, French soldier
• David Gutman — Owner of the 'New Babylon' shop
• Sofiya Magarill — An actress
• Andrei Kostrichkin — The main shop-assistant