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BERLINALE 2005 Competition

Mitterand, questions about a reign

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- Known for his skillful depiction of Marseille with his port and streets, Robert Guédiguian ventures into an new experience, recounting the last weeks of François Mitterrand, the late French president

Known for his skillful depiction of Marseille with his port and streets, Robert Guédiguian ventures into an new experience, suggested by the producer Frank Le Wita after his reading the book "Le dernier Mitterrand" by Georges-Marc Benamou, the rights of which he bought. "I have increasingly felt like exploring new genres, ackowledges Guédiguian. I am not embarrassed to do so, nor do I feel I am not entitled to try this, but I feel, say, curious".

Selected for the official competition in Berlin, Le promeneur du Champ de Mars recounts the last weeks of François Mitterrand, the late French president, and his last fight, fought against disease and impending death. As death grows nearer, the man’s detachment increases and allows him a cynical view on his destiny which much impresses the young journalist who has come to him to gather some information for his book and some advice for his own life and future, and who is the supporting role in the film.

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Who, better than Michel Bouquet, could embody Mitterrand ? The great actor’s image gradually merges with the president’s, and produces a old man, old and moving and true to reality. For, beyond the physical similarities between Bouquet and his role, and however confusing these can be, his secret lies in the impression of inner strength and depth he conveys in his approach of a reign and its unanswered questions. His partner in the film, Jalil Lespert is quite skillful in conveying both the shyness before a great man and the energy of a young, curious, and still clumsy journalist full of harmless idealism and naive ambition.

Robert Guédiguian, as committed as ever, takes his film as an opportunity to develop his views on politics and on humanity in general. Each scene is crucial and deeply justified in this respect. However, politics never cancels the work of the artist, and conversely, cinema never forgets politics. The result of this alchemy is a beautiful cinematic achievement.
Le promeneur du Champ de Mars was coproduced by Frank Le Wita and Marc de Bayer for Film Oblige (France) and Robert Guédiguian (Agat Films & Cie – France). Pathé International will handle international sales.

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(Translated from French)

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