The Story of a Three-Day Pass
The Story of a Three-Day Pass
Directed by Melvin Van Peebles
(France, 1967, Digital Restoration)
“Among the great American films of the ’60s” —New Yorker
Unable to break into a segregated Hollywood, filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles (1932–2021) traveled to France, taught himself the language, and wrote books in French. One of them, La Permission, became his innovative feature debut: The Story of a Three-Day Pass. Channeling the exuberance of the French New Wave, the drama about a Black U.S. soldier (Harry Baird) stationed in France who begins a whirlwind romance with a White woman (Nicole Berger) served as a commentary on France’s attitudes about race.
Visiting Guidelines Masks are required during films and programs in Museum auditoriums. Capacities are limited, and advance tickets are recommended. A risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public setting. In the interest of your personal safety and community health, please observe all precautions set forth by the MFAH—learn more here. Doors open 30 minutes before the screening starts. No late entry.
Accessibility Questions or Requests? If you have any questions about accessibility resources in the Museum’s auditoriums, email accessibility@mfah.org or call 713.639.7300.
The MFAH film department is supported by Tenaris; the Vaughn Foundation; Nina and Michael Zilkha; The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea; Consulate General of Italy in Houston; Franci Neely; Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles; Carrin Patman and Jim Derrick; Consulate General of Brazil in Houston; Lois Chiles Foundation; ILEX Foundation; and L’Alliance Française de Houston.
Special thanks to community partners Houston Cinema Arts Society and Houston Museum of African American Culture.
The Story of a Three-Day Pass
Directed by Melvin Van Peebles
(France, 1967, 87 minutes)
Lynn Wyatt Theater