14/02/2004

The closing film being shown in competition at the 54th edition of the Berlinale was 25 degrés en hiver [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Stéphane Vuillet. The comedy by the Belgium director, and author of three short films, including Le sourire des femmes and Terre natale received loud applause in the cinema, also thanks to the strong performance by Carmen Maura, as good as ever in the role of the protagonist’s mother.
The chaotic life of a father, abandonned by his wife, who has run off to America in search of her fortune, who starts to change his life when he meets a young Ukrainian woman who’s come to Brussels looking for her husband.

The producer, Marion Hänsel, explained how the film came about: "I met Stéphane at a festival, and he explained his project. He’s completely self-taught, and when I saw his short films I realised that it could work".

Vuillet also spoke about his feature film debut: "There were a lot of differences between the two formats. You have more time and a way to correct things, have another think and adjust things. As the days passed I beca,e more sure of myself and the work I was doing".

(Translated from Italian)