Directed by:
Alain ResnaisCinematography:
Bruno NuyttenComposer:
Philippe-GérardCast:
Vittorio Gassman, Geraldine Chaplin, Fanny Ardant, Pierre Arditi, Caroline Sihol, Sabine Azéma, Samson Fainsilber, André Dussollier, Véronique Silver (more)Plots(1)
The film is a compelling mixture of genres divided into 3 narratives, including an early 20th century utopian castle built by Count Forbeck, modern professors living in that castle, and a Wagnerian fantasy landscape of kings and dragons. Alain Resnais pays tribute to three influential French filmmakers: Georges Méliès, Marcel L'Herbier and Eric Rohmer with this lighthearted film about happiness and the power of the imagination. The film is divided into three parallel narratives. The first section is set around the first decade of the 20th century in the Ardennes, where Count Forbeck unveils his architect's designs for a utopian city. In a modern day mirroring of this story, a group of professors now inhabiting Forbeck's castle seek a new form of education through the use of the imagination, under the guidance of a guru named Guarini. The third segment depicts a Wagnerian fantasy landscape of kings and dragons, which arises from the imagination of the children of some of the professors at the school. With ingenuity and great craftsmanship, Resnais weaves together these three threads to make LIFE IS A BED OF ROSES a compelling and entertaining mixture of drama, satire, comedy, fantasy and music. (Cinemax)
(more)Cast
![Vittorio Gassman](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/871/161871551_fbe2bb.jpg)
Vittorio Gassman
Italy
Best movies:
Sleepers (1996)
Viva Italia! (1977)
Big Deal on Madonna Street (1958)
![Geraldine Chaplin](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/119/633/119633630_186ced.jpg)
Geraldine Chaplin
USA
Best movies:
Limelight (1952)
Doctor Zhivago (1965)
The Hollow Crown (2012) (series)
![Fanny Ardant](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/347/162347340_105211.png)
Fanny Ardant
France
Best movies:
Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen (2012) - a.f.
The Family (1987)
Confidentially Yours (1983)
![Pierre Arditi](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/363/162363252_272cdd.png)
Pierre Arditi
France
Best movies:
The Count of Monte Cristo (1998) (series)
The Horseman on the Roof (1995)
L'Affaire Dreyfus (1994) (series)
![Caroline Sihol](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/158/064/158064362_46c79b.jpg)
Caroline Sihol
France
Best movies:
La Vie en rose (2007)
L'Enfant des loups (1991) (TV movie)
Confidentially Yours (1983)
![Sabine Azéma](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/167/603/167603517_mzbmac.jpg)
Sabine Azéma
France
Best movies:
A Sunday in the Country (1984)
The Lacemaker (1977)
Life and Nothing But (1989)
![Samson Fainsilber](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/507/507497_9fcfa5.jpg)
Samson Fainsilber
Romania
Best movies:
Animal (1977)
Royal Affairs in Versailles (1954)
Providence (1977)
![André Dussollier](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/272/272344_b6e7ff.jpg)
André Dussollier
France
Best movies:
Amélie (2001)
Shut Up! (2003)
And Now My Love (1974)
![Véronique Silver](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/072/312/72312416_037e65.jpg)
Véronique Silver
France
Best movies:
Royal Affairs in Versailles (1954)
The Woman Next Door (1981)
My American Uncle (1980)
![Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/279/279440_621a80.jpg)
Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu
France
Best movies:
The Professional (1981)
No Time for Breakfast (1976)
L'Affaire Salengro (2009) (TV movie)
Hélène Patarot
Best movies:
The Mahabharata (1989) (series)
The Lover (1992)
Paris, I Love You (2006)
![Jean-Michel Dupuis](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/517/517878_2ea041.jpg)
Jean-Michel Dupuis
France
Best movies:
Bandits (1986)
Door on the Left as You Leave the Elevator (1988)
The Beautiful Story (1992)
![François-Eric Gendron](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/530/161530330_c7c384.png)
François-Eric Gendron
France
Best movies:
The French Revolution (1989) (TV movie)
Une robe noire pour un tueur (1981)
Heart to Heart (1979)
![Marie Rivière](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/209/163209063_1e8005.jpg)
Marie Rivière
France
Best movies:
The Aviator's Wife (1981)
The Green Ray (1986)
Four Adventures of Reinette and Mirabelle (1987)
![Martine Kelly](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/276/276820_8de8d2.jpg)
Martine Kelly
France
Best movies:
The Exchange Student (1967)
Stadium Nuts (1972)
The Band (1970)
![Jean-Louis Richard](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/158/064/158064363_2811ce.jpg)
Jean-Louis Richard
France
Best movies:
The Professional (1981)
Don’t Forget You’re Going to Die (1995)
The Soft Skin (1964)
Francine Bergé
France
Best movies:
Wild Innocence (2001)
The Crimson Rivers (2000)
The Nun (1966)
![Robert Manuel](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/471/471136_e27b81.jpg)
Robert Manuel
France
Best movies:
Rififi (1955)
The Black Tulip (1964)
Deadlier Than the Male (1956)
Garrick Dowhen
Best movies:
Life Is a Bed of Roses (1983)
Crossings (1986) (series)
Land of Doom (1986)
![Philippe Laudenbach](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/158/125/158125870_7eab59.jpg)
Philippe Laudenbach
France
Best movies:
L'Affaire Salengro (2009) (TV movie)
A.L.F. (Animal Liberation Front) (2012)
Confidentially Yours (1983)