What Is Nana About?
The premise of Nana in 311 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the glittering, unforgiving landscape of 1920s Paris, the city’s vibrant streets serve as both a playground and a proving ground for the spirited Nana. Defined by a fierce independence and a refusal to be underestimated, she captures the attention of the city’s elite with a boldness that defies her humble beginnings. When a chance encounter in a café showcases her defiance and charm, she finds herself pulled into a world of bright lights and high stakes that promises to change her life forever. Her ascent from the gritty pavement to the stage is orchestrated by Gaston Greiner, a theatrical impresario who recognizes the raw, undeniable talent simmering beneath her rough exterior.
As Nana transforms into a celebrated star, she steps into a gilded existence where ambition and desire are inextricably linked. The theater offers a new life, but it also draws her into a complicated web of romantic entanglements that prove just as captivating—and dangerous—as the spotlight itself. She soon catches the eye of Lieutenant George Muffat, a military officer whose fascination with her quickly deepens into something more potent. This attraction does not go unnoticed by his older brother, Colonel Muffat, whose protective instincts and stern demeanor hint at the societal pressures looming over Nana’s newfound success.
The atmosphere of the film is charged with a mix of high-society glamour and the perilous instability of a life lived on the edge. As Nana navigates the affections of powerful men and the demands of her career, the glittering surface of her world begins to show cracks. The narrative sets the stage for a drama where personal freedom clashes with rigid expectations, and where the pursuit of love and fame carries a heavy, inevitable cost. Nana must struggle to maintain her footing in a world where every choice invites scrutiny, and where the line between adoration and ruin is dangerously thin.
What Happens in Nana?
The complete story of Nana, from the first scene to the last, in 402 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Nana Anna Sten is a Parisian streetwalker who is discovered by a theatrical impresario and rises to stage fame, stepping into a glittering world where talent meets ambition. Her rise sets the stage for a charged romance with Lieutenant George Muffat Phillips Holmes, a liaison that draws both fascination and protective concern from his older brother, Colonel Muffat Lionel Atwill.
Nana’s circle expands as Satin Mae Clarke, Mimi Muriel Kirkland, and Zoe Jessie Ralph join her in a countryside villa, a move that brings them into close proximity with the Muffat family. The pair’s romance faces stern disapproval from Colonel de Muffat, whose protective stance fuels tension and sets the stage for a calculated intervention. In a bid to drive a wedge between Nana and Georges, the Colonel arranges a overseas assignment, sending Georges on a commission to Algeria with the quiet hope of breaking their bond. Georges, determined not to give up, promises Nana that he will return for her, clinging to a future together.
Time passes and miscommunication festered by distance takes its toll. Nana waits for letters that never arrive, while Satin, Mimi, and Zoe are revealed to have intercepted the correspondence in a calculated bid to pull Nana back into the stage life—and, with it, back toward the wealth she once enjoyed. The ruse momentarily works in the hopes of restoring her former glamour, yet the personal cost grows heavier beneath the gleaming surface of success.
A turning point arrives when an apologetic Colonel de Muffat offers to shepherd Nana toward a fresh theater opportunity, and she accepts the chance to be his mistress. The renewed attention from admirers brings a fresh wave of public adoration, but it deepens Nana’s longing for Georges, and the alcohol-fueled haze that follows hints at a life slipping away from balance and clarity.
Georges finally returns to Paris, seeking the woman he loves and believing she has received his letters while waiting for a sign. He longs to be with Nana, and the couple make plans to run away together, seeking a private refuge away from the encroaching scrutiny of society. But the moment of escape is interrupted when Colonel de Muffat arrives, and the confrontation culminates in a heartbreaking tragedy as Nana’s hopes collapse and she meets a tragic end. In the wake of these events, the film presents a stark portrait of desire, power, and the perilous pull of fame.
Nana Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Nana is discovered and rises to stage fame” to “Nana commits suicide”. 12 events name a place, across 5 locations.
- 1
Nana is discovered and rises to stage fame
A Parisian streetwalker named Nana is discovered by a theatrical impresario and quickly becomes a stage sensation. Her performances captivate audiences and attract the attention of Paris's social circles. The sudden fame thrusts her into the spotlight and sets the course for her life of romance and risk.
When:early career Where:Paris
- 2
Nana falls for Georges Muffat; Colonel disapproves
Nana enters a romantic relationship with soldier Georges Muffat, drawing him into her world of fame. His protective elder brother, Colonel de Muffat, disapproves and watches the pair closely. The romance becomes a focal point of tension within their circles.
When:early romance Where:Paris
- 3
Nana and friends buy a villa; neighbors with the Muffats
Nana, Satin, Mimi, and Zoe pool their earnings to buy a villa in the countryside. The Muffat family moves nearby, bringing the Colonel into closer proximity to Nana’s life. The new setting creates a stage for romance, jealousy, and scheming.
When:after initial success Where:French countryside
- 4
Nana and Georges rekindle romance; Colonel still disapproves
Nana and Georges resume their relationship despite the Colonel's disapproval. The couple navigates clandestine meetings and the strain of being watched by an overbearing guardian. The romance becomes more intense while external pressure tightens around them.
When:romance ongoing Where:Countryside villa
- 5
Colonel de Muffat orders Georges to Algeria; Georges vows to return
The Colonel orders Georges on a military commission to Algeria to break their bond. Georges promises Nana that he will come back when his duty is finished. The long separation plants a seed of hope that sustains Nana’s longing.
When:military deployment Where:Algeria
- 6
Months pass; letters disappear; the plan to pull Nana back unfolds
Months pass and Nana receives no word from Georges. Satin, Mimi, and Zoe intercept the couple’s letters to lure Nana back to the stage, hoping she will regain her former wealth. The villa becomes a pawn in a larger game of ambition and status.
When:months later Where:Paris / villa
- 7
Colonel offers a theater return; Nana becomes his mistress
An apologetic Colonel de Muffat offers to reconnect Nana with a new theater opportunity. Nana accepts and begins an arrangement that makes her the Colonel’s mistress. The renewed attention from fans masks the moral cost of her new position.
When:one day Where:Paris
- 8
Nana revels in fame but sinks into alcoholism
Nana basks in renewed fan attention and social glamour. She misses Georges and, overwhelmed by longing, turns to alcohol as a coping mechanism. The glittering life masks growing personal emptiness.
When:shortly after Where:Paris
- 9
Georges returns to Paris; he believes Nana ignored his letters
Georges arrives back in Paris and searches for Nana. He believes Nana has received his letters but has chosen to ignore them. His longing to be with her remains, even as he confronts a changed reality.
When:return Where:Paris
- 10
Georges and Nana plan to run away together
The couple decide to flee together, seeking freedom from Colonel de Muffat’s control. The plan embodies a final chance at happiness and a return to their true bond. They prepare for what could be their last escape.
When:imminent escape Where:Paris
- 11
Colonel de Muffat arrives; confrontation escalates
Colonel de Muffat arrives and disrupts the couple's escape plan. The confrontation lays bare the power dynamics and Nana’s desperation. The moment marks a decisive turn toward tragedy.
When:final confrontation Where:Paris
- 12
Nana commits suicide
Nana, overwhelmed by love, betrayal, and social pressure, takes her own life. The tragedy serves as a bleak coda to a life built on romance, fame, and resistance against a rigid society.
When:final tragedy Where:Paris
Who Are the Main Characters in Nana?
12 characters, among them Satin (Mae Clarke), Nana (Anna Sten) and Georges Muffat (Phillips Holmes): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Satin (Mae Clarke)
Played by Mae Clarke
Nana's friend who helps steer her back toward the stage in pursuit of wealth. Satin embodies the opportunistic social climber who uses her circle to influence outcomes and profits from Nana's fame.
- 🎭
- 🤝
- 💰
- N(
Nana (Anna Sten)
Played by Anna Sten
A Parisian streetwalker who rises to stage success and captures Georges's heart. Her longing for love collides with the demands of fame and the control exercised by the Muffat family, guiding her toward a tragic fate.
- 💃
- ❤️
- 🕊️
- GM
Georges Muffat (Phillips Holmes)
Played by Phillips Holmes
Nana's soldier lover whose duty pulls him away to Algeria. He remains hopeful and loyal, seeking to be with Nana despite interruptions by duty and distance, until their plans are thwarted by circumstance.
- 💘
- ⚔️
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Colonel de Muffat (Lionel Atwill)
Played by Lionel Atwill
The protective older brother figure whose disapproval drives the rift between Nana and Georges. He wields substantial influence, initially steering events to separate the couple and later shaping Nana's life through status-driven power dynamics.
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- ⚖️
- Z(
Zoe (Jessie Ralph)
Played by Jessie Ralph
One of Nana's friends who participates in the scheme to divert Nana back to the stage. Zoe represents the social circle that profits from Nana's fame and participates in the manipulation surrounding her life.
- 🤝
- 🪙
- M(
Mimi (Muriel Kirkland)
Played by Muriel Kirkland
Nana's friend whose actions mirror the group’s scheme to intercept letters and influence Nana's trajectory. Mimi contributes to the web of deception surrounding Nana's career and personal life.
- 🗝️
- 🧭
- SM
Sabine Muffat (Helen Freeman)
Played by Helen Freeman
A member of the Muffat family within Nana's social orbit, anchoring the aristocratic dimension of the Parisian circle that surrounds Nana and Georges. Her role underscores the family influence over Nana's fate.
- 👑
- 🏰
- GD
Grand Duke Alexis (Lawrence Grant)
Played by Lawrence Grant
A noble figure in the Parisian milieu whose presence highlights the intersection of aristocracy and show business. Alexis's interactions illustrate the pressures and expectations placed on performers within high society.
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- 👑
- F(
Finot (Ferdinand Gottschalk)
Played by Ferdinand Gottschalk
A member of Nana's social and theatrical network, contributing to the complex web of relationships that define the period's showbiz world.
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- 🕰️
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Bordenave (Reginald Owen)
Played by Reginald Owen
A figure within the Parisian theater circle who helps populate the social ecosystem surrounding Nana and her circle.
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- 🎩
- GG
Gaston Greiner (Richard Bennett)
Played by Richard Bennett
A member of Nana's affluent social circle, reinforcing the moneyed, influential environment of Parisian society.
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- 💎
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Chorus Girl (Lucille Ball)
Played by Lucille Ball
An uncredited chorus performer who embodies the bustling theater world supporting Nana's ascent and the era's performance culture.
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- 👯
Where and When Is Nana Set?
Nana is set in Paris, Countryside villa near Paris and Algeria (Late 19th century (Belle Époque)). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Late 19th century (Belle Époque)
The narrative sits in a Paris where theater and social prestige shape destinies during the Belle Époque, a period of opulence and artistic flourish. Aristocratic titles, military service, and the spectacle of the stage define daily life and relationships. The events—letters, separations, and power dynamics—reflect the era's tensions between desire, conformity, and public reputation.
Where
Paris, Countryside villa near Paris, Algeria
The story unfolds in Parisian high society and its outskirts, with Nana and her friends purchasing a villa in the countryside and becoming neighbors with the Muffat family. The Algeria setting appears as a military commission that pulls Georges away from Nana, marking a physical and emotional distance. The mix of urban theater life and rural retreat highlights the stark contrasts in the world Nana navigates.
- 🏙️ Paris
- 🏡 Countryside villa
- 🇩🇿 Algeria
What Are the Themes of Nana?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Forbidden Love, Stage and Wealth and Decay and Alcohol.
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01
Forbidden Love
Nana's romance with Georges defies social boundaries and class expectations. The relationship becomes a site where passion clashes with duty, disapproval, and the rigid codes of the era. The couple's attempt to sustain their love under pressure illustrates how societal norms can crush intimate bonds.
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02
Stage and Wealth
Nana's ascent into stardom is intertwined with wealth and exploitation. Satin, Mimi, and Zoe use the lure of fame to manipulate Nana back into the theatre world and reclaim status. The world of performance is shown as both a ladder to luxury and a web of manipulation.
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03
Decay and Alcohol
Nana's growing alcoholism signals her loneliness and longing for Georges when their letters fail to reach her. Drink becomes a coping mechanism that compounds vulnerability and accelerates a descent from grace. The liquor serves as a tangible symbol of the decadence and fragility of her world.
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04
Control and Deception
Colonel Muffat's protective stance evolves into controlling influence over Nana's life, including his involvement in separating the lovers. The interception of letters by friends exposes the pervasive manipulation within their social circle. The culmination hinges on secrets and betrayals that trap Nana in a fatal struggle between desire and power.
What Kind of Film Is Nana?
Melancholic in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Melancholic
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bleak
A somber and melancholic tragedy following a woman's desperate journey for love and fame in 1920s Paris, culminating in a bleak and fatalistic ending.
- tragic
- melancholic
- romantic
- desperate
- somber
- fatalistic
- tragic romance
- fall from grace
- alcoholism
- betrayal
Content notes: suicide.
Where to Watch Nana
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