10/03/2010

This week sees the limited release of Henri-Georges Clouzot’s Inferno [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (ABC Distribution on two screens). This documentary by Serge Bromberg and Ruxandra Medrea explores a real hidden treasure, the captivating and unseen relics of Clouzot’s unfinished (potential) masterpiece, in which we discover delirious images of a Romy Schneider at the height of her beauty. The film, produced by Lobster Films, was unveiled last May in the Cannes Classics section.

A long way from the creative frenzy of Clouzot, Roselyne Bosch’s The Round Up [+see also:
trailer
film profile] attempts to document in images a dark episode in France’s history, the Vél d’Hiv round-up. The film’s didactic aim, upheld by its director and producer, Ilan Goldman (Légende Films), may put off some cinemagoers, but the title should nonetheless attract fans of historical reconstructions, enticed by its first-rate cast (Gad Elmaleh, Jean Reno, Mélanie Laurent, Sylvie Testud…). Belga is releasing the film on 25 screens.

This week’s third French film, Denys Granier-Deferre’s Wedding Cake [+see also:
trailer
film profile], also includes an impressive cast of supporting actors: the presence of Dominique Lavanant, Charlotte de Turckheim, Christophe Alévèque, Léa Drucker, Jean-Pierre Marielle and Danielle Darrieux leaves little doubt about the film’s comic tone. At this high-society wedding, Jérémie Rénier and Clémence Poesy are getting ready to say yes before the altar, for better, and for worse. Alternative is launching the film on 11 screens in Brussels and Wallonia.

Finally, Kinepolis is releasing Germany’s surprise hit of last autumn, Pope Joan [+see also:
trailer
film profile], by Sönke Wortmann (a German box office regular). The film stars Johanna Wokalek as one of the greatest fantasy figures of Christendom, the legendary character of the female Pope. The film was produced by Germany’s Constantin, in collaboration with Italy’s Medusa Films and Spain’s Ikiru Films.

(Translated from French)