Der Präsident

The masterful psychogram of a man of power who still waits for satisfaction at the end of his life. Augustin is "the president" in his world, even though he is no longer one in reality. At 82 years old and with increasing ailments, he has long since retired from high politics, living for years with his chauffeur and two housemaids while adhering to a strict daily routine in his small house in Normandy. From here, he observes how the government in Paris is falling apart—and sees in the state crisis his great opportunity to re-enter the fray and pull the strings. Since he possesses a damning document on the new first man of the state, Augustin waits for a sign, the decisive phone call, the submission. Simenon's novel about the old man and power is Simenon's great political novel, a psychological masterpiece, filmed in 1961 with Jean Gabin.