Category Archives: France

Some are not born to love, but to be loved: “À nos amours” [1983 France]

Maurice Pialat was a master at peeling away layers of human respectability in order to shed light on the vagaries of heart and mind. But unlike Michael Haneke or Ulrich Seidl – present day directors with a similar gift and … Continue reading

Posted in France, Maurice Pialat, Sandrine Bonnaire | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A brief review of Werner Schroeter’s “Nuit de chien” [2008 Germany, Portugal, France]

Werner Schroeter was an important director of the Neuer Deutscher Film (New German Cinema). He was also an influence on R W Fassbinder, who considered him an artistic equal. It is easy to see why – they both shared a … Continue reading

Posted in France, Germany, Portugal, Werner Schroeter | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Love without memory, and baggage – “Novo” [2002 France, Spain]

Jean-Pierre Limosin appears initially to have stumbled upon something original in his romantic drama “Novo”, but I don’t think he’s successfully brought it to fruition. The film will rightly be remembered for featuring copious nudity from Eduardo Noriega and Anna … Continue reading

Posted in Anna Mouglalis, France | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Marguerite Duras, and her film “Baxter, Vera Baxter” [1977 France]

To claim that Marguerite Duras is the director of some of the most demanding films I’d ever seen, would be an understatement. You will need patience, a reasonable intellect, and be fully tuned to the characters on-screen to truly appreciate … Continue reading

Posted in France, Marguerite Duras | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Brisseau’s take on old-age and loneliness, “La fille de nulle part” [2012 France]

It appears Jean-Claude Brisseau is finally mellowing – his latest film “La fille de nulle part” [Eng. Title: The Girl from Nowhere] is surprisingly subdued, both in scope and budget, as he goes back to basics by even casting himself … Continue reading

Posted in France, Jean-Claude Brisseau | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment