Download French Films - Jean Chateauvert

French Films
La Coupure
Sunday Sept. 17, 9:20 PM, Park Lane 8
Directed by Jean Châteauvert
A recent Quebec feature drama that uncompromisingly charts
the limits of acceptable desire and responsibility, La Coupure
follows two thirtysomething siblings, one male, one female, as
they continue an incestuous relationship well into the sister’s
marriage to another man. When her husband considers a move
from Montreal to San Francisco, specifically to break up the
brother and sister relationship, a crisis ensues leading to
unexpected consequences. Direct, honest, powerful and
unsettling, La Coupure is a gripping domestic drama that dares
to explore the unexplored regions of the heart.
Delivrez-Moi
Wednesday Sept. 20, 7:00 PM, Oxford Theatre
Directed by Denis Chouinard
Featuring a tough and uncompromising performance from
Céline Bonnier ( A Sunday in Kigali, Human Trafficking, The Far
Side of the Moon ), Délivrez-moi is a realistic look at a long, hard
journey back to society after the isolation of prison. After serving
10 years for killing her lover Marco, Annie regains custody of her
daughter (Juliette Gosselin), but the girl wants nothing to do
with her. Desperate and haunted by memories of Marco, Annie
sinks into growing confusion between past and present.
Surprises await when she returns to the island where the murder
took place. Beautifully photographed and written, Deliverez-moi
explores the dark recesses of the heart in search of some
forgiveness.
The White Planet
Monday Sept. 18, 9:30 PM, Oxford Theatre
Directed by Thierry Ragobert and Thierry Piantanida
Exploring the inhospitable and often ferocious landscape of the
Arctic North, The White Planet focuses on the distinctive fauna
that have managed to adapt to the extreme conditions of this
complex ecosystem. One of the most beautiful and starkly filmed
documentaries this year -- taking a page or two from March of
the Penguins and Winged Migration and accompanied by a
soundtrack as resonant and haunting as the environment in
which it was filmed –- this film is a must-see.
The Decline of the American Empire
Sunday Sept. 17, 7:15 PM, Park Lane 3
Directed by Denys Arcand
You've never seen a sex comedy quite like The Decline of the
American Empire. That's because there's no sex in this comedy -–
just a lot of entertaining talk about it (and a few discreet
flashbacks). The speakers are eight Montreal academics. For most
of the film, the men -- Rémy, Claude, Pierre and Alain -- fix dinner
while talking about sex. The women — Dominique, Louise, Diane
and Danielle -- work out while talking about sex. That evening,
they all gather for dinner...and talk about sex. The Decline of the
American Empire made the reputation of writer-director Denys
Arcand, but his greatest success would arrive 17 years later with
The Barbarian Invasions. This special edition 20th anniversary
print comes to us courtesy of the AV Preservation Trust and its
Masterworks Program. Ern Dick, historian of sound and the
moving image, will be introducing the film.
Cheech
Sunday Sept. 17, 7:00 PM, Park Lane 8
Directed by Patrice Sauvé
Based on the successful play, this gritty and street-smart drama
set in an escort agency is the feature directorial debut for Quebec
director Patrick Sauvé. When the "little black book" of call girls
goes missing from Ron's agency, he accuses Cheech, the owner
of a larger rival agency, of stealing it. Cheech is a day in the life of
six people whose lives intersect in unexpected ways. Their quest
for happiness will reveal each of them to each other in ways they
never dreamed of.
La Coupure