17/12/2014 - Eric Lartigau’s film is being released by Mars Distribution, surfing the crest of a huge media buzz; movies by Wargnier, Demoustier and Cuenca also come out today

La famille Bélier by Eric Lartigau

Linking the subject of disability and difference (Untouchable [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] proved how much of an impact this can have at the box office) with the whole singing phenomenon, which has been the life force of TV programmes for several years now (from Pop Idol to The Voice): on paper, it could not be taken as read that the gamble taken by the Franco-Belgian co-production La famille Bélier [+see also:
trailer
making of
film profile] by Eric Lartigau (read the news), released today in over 500 theatres by Mars Distribution, would pay off. But the growing enthusiasm that has accompanied the huge campaign of preview screenings for the film has raised expectations to a very high level indeed. Starring Louane Emera, Karin Viard, François Damiens and Éric Elmosnino, it tells the story of 16-year-old Paula and her close-knit family of farmers, all of whom are deaf, apart from her. She will discover that she has an immense talent for singing, which could very possibly open up new opportunities for her. The movie has turned out to be a very well-judged production teetering between emotion and humour, laughter and tears, teenage liberation and the fear of growing up, and normality and difference. Now it is up to this “feel-good movie” to deliver on all of its promises in terms of admissions and to rack up a new box-office success for its eclectic director (Rent a Wife [+see also:
trailer
film profile], The Big Picture [+see also:
trailer
film profile]).

French film production is also very well represented this Wednesday with The Gate [+see also:
trailer
interview: Régis Wargnier
film profile] by Régis Wargnier (unveiled at Telluride and screened at Toronto – with Raphaël Personnaz toplining – read the interview with the producer, Jean Cottin – distributed by Gaumont across 130 screens), the feature debut Terre battue [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Stéphane Demoustier (revealed at the Venice Critics’ Week, starring Olivier Gourmet and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi – Diaphana in 53 cinemas), Run [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Philippe Lacôte (unveiled in Un Certain Regard at Cannes – read the review – Bac Films in seven theatres), Gaby Baby Doll [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Sophie Letourneur (read the article – Shellac) and the family film Benoît Brisefer: Les Taxis Rouges by Manuel Pradal (starring Gérard Jugnot, Jean Reno and Thierry Lhermitte – The Walt Disney Company France across around 350 screens).

Also of note are the fascinating Cannibal [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Manuel Martín Cuenca
film profile] by Spanish director Manuel Martin Cuenca (which won an award at San Sebastian – read the review and the interview with the director – distributed by Zootrope Films together with Luminor in nine theatres), La storia di Cino by Italy’s Carlo Alberto Pinelli (distributed by Takami Productions in five cinemas) and the documentary Silvered Water, Syria Self-Portrait [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (unveiled at Cannes as a Special Screening – distributed by Potemkine Films).

(Translated from French)