FILM DAYS limited edition – 21 – 23 April 2023
FILMS 2019: A – E | F – L | M – P | Q – S | T – Z | Feature Film | Short Film
FILMS 2018: A – E | F – L | M – P | Q – S | T – Z | Feature Film | Short Film
FILMS 2017: A – E | F – L | M – P | Q – S | T – Z | Feature Film | Short Film
FILMS 2016: A – E | F – L | M – P | Q – S | T – Z | Feature Film | Short Film
FILMS 2015: A – E | F – L | M – P | Q – S | T – Z | Feature Film | Short Film
Marisol Gómez Mouakad | Puerto Rico, Mexico | 2016 | color | DCP | 90 min | Spanish, English | e.s.
This is as bad as it gets when divorced parents fight for custody of their son – a heartrending role by young Thomas Gioria. Making his feature debut, Legrand is inspired by both Kramer vs. Kramer and The Shining. This kitchen-sink thriller marks him as a talent to watch. Awarded for Best Director in Venice.
From the very first scene with the judge, who reads out a statement by their 11-year-old son Julien, the tension between the former spouses is palpable. The nervous mother (Léa Drucker) accuses the colossal father (Denis Ménochet) of threats and violence; he says that she is trying to turn their child against him. The elder daughter goes her own way, but Julien is caught in the middle. It’s no coincidence that the title refers to guardianship and imprisonment.
Xavier Legrand (this is the sequel to his Oscar-nominated short film Avant que de tout perdre from 2013, with the same adult protagonists) does not ease off the suspense, and works inexorably towards an almost unbearable climax. Often nerve-rackingly tight framing imprisons the characters; their naturalist acting brings them closer. This intense debut by Thomas Gioria is particularly striking in the role of scared yet surly Julien. The film won prizes in Venice for Best Director and Best Debut.
Place: The Cinemas 1
Date: 13 April 2018
Time: 19:00
Duration: 1:12
Place: The Cinemas 1
Date: 14 April 2018
Time: 14:00
Duration: 1:12
Place: The Cinemas 2
Date: 15 April 2018
Time: 13:30
Duration: 1:12
Year in
Festival
2018
Director
Xavier LEGRAND
Camera
Nathalie Durand
Cast
Denis Ménochet
Léa Drucker
Thomas Gioria
Mathilde Auneveux
Saadia Bentaïeb
Sophie Pincemaille
Emilie Incerti-Formentini
Country
France
Editor
Yorgos Lamprinos
Language
French
Length
Producer
Alexandre Gavras
Production Company
K.G. Productions
Production Design
Jérémie Sfez
Sales
Celluloid Dreams
Scenario
Xavier Legrand
Sound Design
Julien Sicart
Julien Roig
Vincent Verdoux
Year of Production
2017