**Janie Marèse** (1907-1981) was a prominent French actress in 1930s and early 1940s cinema. She distinguished herself through her ability to portray complex women, often melancholic, fragile yet possessing a subtle sensuality. Her characters were frequently victims of adverse fate or destructive passions, contributing to shaping the aesthetic of poetic realism.

She worked with prominent directors, leaving an indelible mark in films such as Marcel Carné's `Le Jour se lève` (1939), where she embodied a tragic and unforgettable figure. Other memorable roles include her performances in Jean Renoir's `La Bête humaine` (1938), Julien Duvivier's `Pépé le Moko` (1937), and Jean Grémillon's `Gueule d'amour` (1937). Her ethereal beauty and intensity made her an icon of pre-war French cinema.