By Roger Costa
THE NIGHT OF THE 12th
Winning big at this year’s Cesar Awards with 6 major prizes, including Best Film, Director and Adapted Screenplay, director Dominik Moll’s latest thriller follows an intense investigation on the case of a young woman who was set on fire after leaving a party at a remote Alpine town. A propulsive suspense crafted with classic elements of the genre, complexity and elegance, it brings an enigmatic performance by Bastien Bouillon as the detective protagonist, who was awarded with the Cesar for Best New Promising Actor. An intelligent, stylish and provocative murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.
DIARY OF A FLEETING AFFAIR
Two of France’s finest versatile stars, Vincent Macaigne and Sandrine Kiberlain, unite forces for this sophisticated, talkative and seductive chronicle of an unusual love affair. Directed by Emmanuel Mouret, from last year’s fabulous threesome drama “Love Affair(s)”, it tracks the meetings between the married man and the single mother, their interactions and verbal conflicts, while experiencing a secretive affair filled with sex meetings, fantasies, social and cultural exchanges and unlikely counseling. Influenced by the worlds of Rohmer and Woody Allen, Mouret gives a funny, relatable modern shape to the rom-com genre, anchored by the superb duo.
THE GRAVITY
One of the most shocking, violent and essential films you’ll see this year, Cedric Ido’s exquisite, immersive blend of racial drama, gangster tale and sci-fi horror is the latest French title to explore the devastating link between the young generation and the obsession for supremacy. Intensely crafted and executed, it depicts the mega drugs operation led by a gang of youngsters, as they take over the complex-projects and face a possible rivalry game with some veterans aiming for revenge, redemption and fast cash. As the conflict and tensions increase among them, the alignment of eight planets seem to escalate the sense of danger and unknown even higher, keeping the viewer in a gripping state of anxiety while they battle for control. Poised to be a hit, Ido scored an instant classic, a perfect and timely bloodshed guilty pleasure.
FOREVER YOUNG
Winner of the Cesar Award for Best Newcomer Actress, given to Nadia Tereszkiewicz, who plays Stella, an acting student who serves as the alter ego of director Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, this beautiful, hilarious and charming dramedy explores the obsession of a director as he puts up a production of Chekhov’s “Platonov” and deals with the emotional challenges of the company’s acting group. Based on her memories as a student of celebrated late filmmaker Patrice Chereau, and the workshop trip they made to NYC in the 80’s, Tedeschi composes a love letter to the obstacles faced by the artistic creative process, as well as an ode to unlikely romance and complicated relationships.
THE ORIGIN OF EVIL
France’s rising diva star, Laure Calamy gives another example of her screen-presence power, dominating and shocking as ever in this dark thriller with hints of sophisticated comedy, efficiently directed by Sebastien Marnier. She plays Stephane, a mysterious woman who claims to be the daughter of a millionaire, raising questions and suspicions especially from the magnata’s merciless daughter and confused wife. A highly entertaining and inventive female saga thriller, Calamy enchants once again conducting this wickedly fun work about identity and financial stability.
(Presented by Film at Lincoln Center and UniFrance, the 28th Rendez-Vous with French Cinema runs March 2-12 with Directors and Stars in Attendance at Lincoln Center. Go to https://www.filmlinc.org/festivals/rendez-vous-with-french-cinema/#films for details.)
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