06/09/2017 - VENICE 2017: Actress Sara Forestier presents her directorial debut, competing in the Giornate degli Autori section. A tale of visceral love that must overcome some communicative challenges

She doesn't talk much, but she writes a lot. He's a chatterbox, but doesn't know how to read. It is from this communicational paradox, or rather, its apparent implausibility, that M [+see also:
trailer
interview: Sara Forestier
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trailer
film profile], which earned her a César in 2005 for most promising actress. A promise that she’s kept both through her recent roles on screen (winning a César for best actress in 2011 for her role in The Names of Love [+see also:
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Written, directed and partly edited by Forestier, M starts off as a drama about the power of words, slowly developing into a love story centred on two handicaps, before concluding as a liberating ode to imperfection. The protagonists are Lila and Mo (played by the director herself and musician-cum-humourist Redouanne Harjane in his first leading role). Lila has a debilitating stutter that forces her to stay mute, while Mo has never learned to read and write. They meet by chance at a bus stop and fall in love. But while she is both open and clear about her handicap, he keeps his a secret. The audience, however, knows about Mo's problem from the very beginning; seeing his discomfort when faced with written texts, and watching his handicap give Lila some much-needed strength. Mo hides the fact that he doesn’t know how to read the messages that she writes him, encouraging her instead to put pen to paper, to talk, to overcome her shame, simultaneously saving her while neglecting to save himself.

With Guillaume Schiffman's contribution as cinematographer (Oscar Award for The Artist [+see also:
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interview: Michel Hazanavicius
film profile]) and the casting of Jean-Pierre Léaud in the role of Lila's slightly unhinged and bitchy father, the director uses important industry names to build this complex universe, consisting of subtle psychological dynamics, tipping points and a lack of affection. The film maintains a quiet simplicity by putting subtle glances, embraces and sensations on centre stage. The two protagonists are polar opposites, yet incredibly believable as a couple (special credit due for Forestier’s work on stuttering). He is manly and impulsive, she is fragile and gentle, yet they are able to display a whole range of emotions using just their faces - from tenderness to desire, from insecurity to aggression - and it's obvious to all that the director loves her characters very deeply – even little Soraya (Lila's rebellious and wild little sister, brought to life by the graceful Liv Andren), who suddenly becomes a writing teacher and is somewhat befuddled by Mo. A convincing, fresh and lively debut.

M was produced by Chi-Fou-Mi Productions. International sales are managed by mk2 Films.

(Translated from Italian)