French Film Series

Spring 2004

The Modern Languages and Literatures department presents the Spring 2004 French Film Series. Films will be shown in French with English subtitles on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in Stein 102. All films are free and open to the public. This series is organized by Professor Laurence Enjolras.

February 10 Fin août, début septembre (Late August, Early September) 1999, 112mn Director: Olivier Assayas with Mathieu Amalric, François Cluzet, Virginie Ledoyen, Jeanne Balibar

The carefree days of Gabriel’s youth seem to be over. At once devoted to his aspirations of a career as a novelist and fearful of the likelihood that he won’t succeed, the uncertainty surrounding Gabriel’s professional life is taking its toll. What were once dreams of great success, now seem more like a worthless struggle. Gabriel’s personal life is just as puzzling. Having just ended a long-term relationship with Jenny and unable to commit to an affair he has been having with Anne, he is now faced with the untimely death of his close friend Adrien and the sudden realization of his own mortality.

February 24 Ma vie en rose (My Life in Pink) 1997, 89mn Director: Alain Berliner with Georges du Fresne, Hélène Vincent, Michèle Laroque, Jean-Philippe Escoffey

Ludovic is waiting for a miracle. With six-year-old certainty, he believes he was meant to be a little girl, and that the mistake will soon be corrected. But where he expects the miraculous, Ludo finds only rejection, isolation and guilt, as the intense reactions of family, friends and neighbors strip away every innocent lace and bauble. As suburban prejudices close around them, family loves and loyalties are tested in the ever-escalating dramatic turns of Alain Berliner’s critically acclaimed first feature. Winner of the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film and a favorite at festivals around the world, this unique film experience delivers magic of the rarest sort.

March 16 Nenette et Boni (Nenette and Boni) 1997, 103mn Director: Claire Denis with George Colin, Alice Houri, Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi, Vincent Gallo

Soothing his animosity toward the doldrums of a daily routine, 19-year old Boniface Pavone releases himself through the obsessive composition of his journal – Confessions of a Wimp—writing in piercing detail the erotic fantasies he dreams of sharing with the voluptuous wife of the neighborhood baker. When his estranged little sister reappears, her surprising revelation will change Boni for ever. Together, each will inadvertently help the other in a most unpredictable yet compelling fashion. During this exceptionally heartfelt coming-of-age tale, writer/director Claire Denis penetrates an uncommonly moving intimacy between brother and sister.

March 30 Ceux qui m’aiment prendront le train (Those Who Love Me Can Take the Train) 1998, 122mn Director: Patrice Chéreau with Pascal Greggory, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi, Charles Berling

Winner of the Best Director and four other French César awards, Chéreau’s film is a beautiful and moving celebration of new life blossoming from tragic loss. With its talented cast of top young actors, brilliant cinemascope photography and a rich soundtrack featuring music by the Doors, Björk and Portishead, this film has become a landmark of new French cinema. The enigmatic title comes from the response of the charismatic yet tyrannical painter Jean-Baptiste to protest that the journey from Paris to the grand cemetery at Limoges for his funeral will be too far. A great teacher, Jean-Baptiste loved his students, who adored him. Fascinating to, and desired by both men and women, his life was sexually charged and filled with intrigue.

April 13 Marius et Jeannette (Marius and Jeannette) 1996, 102mn Director: Robert Guédiguian with Ariane Ascaride, Gérard Meylan, Pascale Roberts, Jacques Boudet

In a small port outside Marseille, an animated circle of friends and neighbors join to share in the funny, colorful and off-beat love story of Marius and Jeannette. The vivacious, loud-mouthed Jeannette first meets Marius when he catches her trying to steal paint from the grounds of the cement factory he was hired to guard. Although it is a precarious beginning, the two quickly turn their initial attraction into a budding romance. However, just as their relationship begins to flourish, the warm-hearted Marius retreats with no explanation. Troubled with Marius’ mysterious withdrawal, Jeannette’s spirited neighbors decide to intervene with hopes the two unlikely lovers will save their romance. This quirky comedy is a lyrical and mature chronicle about listening to the music of the heart. Winner of the Prix Louis-Delluc and the Prix Lumière. Ascaride was awarded the César for best actress at the Cannes Film Festival. Guédiguian was nominated for two awards: best director and best film.

April 27 Regarde la mer (See the Sea) 1998, 52mn Director: François Ozon Feature with Sasha Hails, Marina De Van

During a summer escape to the beautiful island of Yeu, Sasha is beginning to grow bored. She has been spending her days tending to her new baby daughter while awaiting the arrival of her husband from his office on the mainland. Her charming seaside cottage rests in perfect isolation for Tatiana, a brooding teen-aged backpacker in desperate need of a place to pitch her tent. Apprehensive yet mesmerized by the free-spirited drifter, it is not long before Sasha invites Tatiana into her home and an unbridled game of deception begins. Winner of three film awards.

Une robe d’été (A Summer Dress) 1997, 15 mn Short with Frédéric Mangenot, Lucia Sanchez, Sébastien Charles

Winner of eight awards, Ozon’s acclaimed short A Summer Dress is a clever, light-hearted, comic spin celebrating sexual ambiguity.

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# Modern Languages and Literatures Department