Directed by:
Jean-Pierre DarroussinScreenplay:
Valérie StrohCinematography:
Bernard CavaliéCast:
Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Nathalie Richard, Hippolyte Girardot, Natalia Dontcheva, Ivan Franěk, Didier Bezace, Maurice Chevit, Anne Canovas, Marc Berman (more)Plots(1)
Well-known French actor Jean-Pierre Darroussin adapted and directed this early work of writer Emmanuel Bove, who also made a name for himself in Italy and in Germany thanks to Peter Handke and Wim Wenders. Both the novel and the film tell the story of a successful Parisian attorney, Charles Benesteau, who one day abandons his family and his career and takes a modest flat in an immigrant quarter. He wants to be able to write in peace there and begin living a different life from the hectic, snobbish and inauthentic existence he has known until now. Charles tries to be a good neighbour, but his accommodating actions lead to more than a few harsh surprises and bitter disappointments, particularly where the family of young Tomasz is concerned. The film is the story of a man trying - with mixed results - to gain control over his life, to stop time and experience simple happiness. On the social level the film does not aim to be a fairytale about purely proletarian values, but is able to reflect this world with openness and show its persistent, almost insurmountable problems. (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)
(more)Cast
Jean-Pierre Darroussin
France
Best movies:
Conversation with My Gardener (2007)
A Very Long Engagement (2004)
Promise at Dawn (2017)
Nathalie Richard
France
Best movies:
Up, Down, Fragile (1995)
After Love (2020)
The Wild Boys (2017)
Hippolyte Girardot
France
Best movies:
Manon of the Spring (1986)
L'Amour nu (1981)
Paris, I Love You (2006)
Natalia Dontcheva
Bulgaria
Best movies:
Mise à nu (2021) (TV movie)
Un homme et son chien (2008)
The Apparition (2018)
Ivan Franěk
Czechoslovakia
Best movies:
36th Precinct (2004)
The Great Beauty (2013)
Chaos (2001)
Didier Bezace
France
Best movies:
Love Is in the Air (2005)
The Little Thief (1988)
It All Starts Today (1999)
Maurice Chevit
France
Best movies:
Le Glaive et la balance (1963)
The Sleeping Car Murder (1965)
Big Deal (1973)
Anne Canovas
Best movies:
A Common Thread (2004)
Christopher Columbus (1985) (series)
Vincent & Theo (1990)
Marc Berman
Best movies:
Le Bal (1983)
Ridiculous (1996)
I Love You (1986)
Patrick Bonnel
Best movies:
In the Beginning (2009)
Le Havre (2011)
Spécial police (1985)
Alain Libolt
France
Best movies:
A Tale of Autumn (1998)
Out 1 (1971)
Versailles (2008)
Thierry Gimenez
Best movies:
Life and Nothing But (1989)
What If...? (2008)
The Premontion (2006)
Laurence Roy
Best movies:
My American Uncle (1980)
Le Péril jeune (1994)
Bleu catacombes (2013) (TV movie)
Antoine Valli
Best movies:
Jean Moulin (2002) (TV movie)
The Premontion (2006)
Miracle Healing (1987)
Valérie Stroh
France
Best movies:
The Bear and the Doll (1969)
Stella (2008)
The Mad Women's Ball (2021)
François Monnié
Best movies:
Le Havre (2011)
Janis et John (2003)
The Premontion (2006)
Michèle Ernou
Best movies:
The Page Turner (2006)
Jean-Philippe (2006)
The Premontion (2006)
Patrick Sobelman
Best movies:
The Premontion (2006)
Bird People (2014)
Living on Love Alone (2010)
Vittoria Scognamiglio
Best movies:
L'Homme que j'aime (1997) (TV movie)
Pourquoi pas moi ? (1999)
Delicacy (2011)
Christine Joly
Best movies:
School of life (2016)
The Premontion (2006)
Marquise (1997)