24/08/2011

Carried by excellent performances with Niels Arestrup (A Prophet [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jacques Audiard
interview: Jacques Audiard and Tahar R…
film profile]) heading the bill, the third feature by Gilles Legrand (Malabar Princess, The Maiden and the Wolves [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) is being launched today in almost 350 theatres by Universal Pictures. Produced by Epithète Films and sold internationally by Other Angle Picture, the film also stars Lorant Deutsch, Anne Marivin, Patrick Chesnais, Nicolas Bridet and Valérie Mairesse.

Co-scripted by the director and Delphine DeVigan, the film is set in a prestigious vineyard in Saint-Émilion. The demanding owner, Paul de Marseul (Arestrup), can’t bear the idea that his son (Deutsch), who works with him on the estate, will one day succeed him. He dreams of having a more talented, more charismatic son…more in line with his fatherly fantasies!

The arrival of Philippe (Bridet), the son of his estate-manager (Chesnais), will dramatically change life on the estate. Paul becomes fascinated with this ideal son. Thus begins a four-way chess game with two fathers and two sons, under the powerless gaze of their womenfolk. And at least one of them has nothing left to lose…

"All the major winegrowers are concerned with handing down their knowledge and heritage. And this can easily lead to serious conflicts in families" explained Legrand who has raised several universal questions in the context of this world: "Should we necessarily love our own children for while this is pretty clear in childhood, it may be more debatable depending on their behaviour when they become adults… How do you handle a relationship with an authoritarian, talented, media-friendly or charismatic father? How do you handle a relationship with a father who doesn’t love you? Do we have the right to reject our own offspring and foster a relationship that may go as far as adoption with a substitute person? What happens to the father whose own son abandons him to pursue his possible social rise? How would the female characters react to this rift between two fathers and two sons?" This cocktail of questions gives rise to some cruel situations in the enclosed space of the estate.

Also hitting screens this Wednesday are former Cannes contenders This Must Be The Place [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Paolo Sorrentino
film profile] by Italy’s Paolo Sorrentino (ARP Sélection in 157 theatres) and The Beloved [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Christophe Honoré
film profile] by Christophe Honoré (Le Pacte on a 232-print run), alongside Spanish director Agusti Villaronga’s Black Bread [+see also:
trailer
film profile], which was crowned Best Film of the Year at the latest Goya Awards and is being released by Alfama Films in 21 theatres.

(Translated from French)