03/02/2005

It is a well-known fact that the Rotterdam Film Festival puts great emphasis on shooting stars, on first or second works. Yet, its many tributes to major directors should not be overlooked. Thus, this year, the Film-maker in Focus section dedicates a large series of screenings to honour the work of the French director Benoît Jacquot. Twenty of his films were scheduled, including the latest, À tout de suite, starring Jacquot's muse, Isild Le Besco. Faithful to his habit of closely relating the actors to the plot, Benoît Jacquot wrote the script with the French actress in mind. As the director, who came to meet his public in Rotterdam, wished to point out, «As soon as Isild accepts a role, she becomes totally, faithfully dedicated to the project. You cannot love my films if you do not love the women in it. I am always in love with the actresses who works with me.». The script of A tout de suite was inspired by real facts; it is about love and disappointment for an art student in Paris in the 70s. « I was watching a TV program in America when I was struck by the story of a woman, Elisabeth Fanger, not only because of its subject, but also by the dignity in her voice». À tout de suite was produced by Natan Productions (Georges Benayoun, Raoul Saada) and Arte France Cinéma, in collaboration with Cinécinéma and the CNC.

The cycle dedicated to Jacquot in Rotterdam includes an interesting choice of movies, as original and varied as the director himself. Amongst others, we find his first feature film, L'assassin musicien (1974), as well as Les enfants du placard (1977), Elvire Jouvet 40 (1986), La bête dans la jungle (1988), La désenchantée (1990), La fille seule (1995), L'école de la chair (1998), Tosca (2001), and Princesse Marie (2004).

(Translated from French)