Fame, Fortune, and Murder in 1960s France
What a scandal involving movie star Alain Delon can—and can’t—tell us about French society.
In 1968, the body of Stevan Markovic was found in a ditch, leading to the Markovic affair in 1960s France. Initially, the story seemed small and unimportant, but as author Edward Chisholm explores in his book, the affair was much more complex. Markovic, a young Yugoslavian immigrant, had become an associate of French actor Alain Delon.
Their relationship was tumultuous, shifting between friendship and betrayal. Markovic's letters to his brother suggested he felt trapped in the Delon's world, often feeling like a mere background character in their lives. The affair was influenced by the broader societal issues of the time, including the lingering effects of World War II on French politics and the pursuit of fame and fortune during the 1960s.
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