The Story of a Three-Day Pass is a 1968 independent film directed by Melvin Van Peebles, based on his own novel La Permission. The film is notable for being one of the first American films to present an interracial romance as a central plot point.
Harry Baird stars as Turner, a Black American soldier stationed in France during the Vietnam War. When Turner is granted a promotion and a three-day leave from base, he heads to Paris, where he meets and falls in love with a white French woman named Miriam (played by Nicole Berger). The film follows their whirlwind romance as they explore the city and enjoy each other's company.
However, as Turner's furlough nears its end, the couple must confront the racial prejudices and societal expectations that threaten to tear them apart. They struggle with the knowledge that their love is not accepted by many people, including Miriam's family and Turner's fellow soldiers.
The film is shot in black and white and is known for its innovative use of jump cuts and nonlinear storytelling. The Story of a Three-Day Pass was one of the first films directed by an African American that received international acclaim, and it helped launch Melvin Van Peebles' career as a filmmaker. The film is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of race, love, and identity in a time of social and political unrest.