carnê

Carné is most commonly encountered as a surname of French origin, most notably associated with the filmmaker Marcel Carné (1909–1996). He was a central figure in French cinema during the 1930s and 1940s and a leading exponent of Poetic Realism, a movement characterized by atmospheric visuals, melancholic mood, and social undertones. Carné’s collaborations with screenwriter Jacques Prévert produced several influential films, establishing a lasting legacy in European cinema. Notable works include Le Quai des Brumes (Port of Shadows), Le Jour se Lève (The Day Breaks), and Les Enfants du Paradis (Children of Paradise), the latter released in 1945 and widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. His output, marked by meticulous mise en scène and strong performances, contributed to the development of narrative and visual style in French cinema.

In addition to its use as a surname, Carné (with an acute accent on the final e) is a Spanish noun meaning an identification card, license, or credential. It is used in phrases such as carnet de identidad or carné de conducir to denote identity documents or driving licenses. The term varies in usage by country within the Spanish-speaking world, with some regions preferring alternatives like cédula or tarjeta. The word remains a common element in everyday bureaucratic language in many Spanish-speaking areas.

See also: Marcel Carné’s filmography; Spanish uses of the word carn é in official documents.