email print share on Facebook share on Twitter share on LinkedIn share on reddit pin on Pinterest

VENICE 2008 France

Jaoui, Denis and Schroeder possible Venice contenders

by 

Ahead of the Rome press conference that will unveil the programme of the 65th Venice Film Festival (August 27-September 6) at the end of July, here follows a brief overview of the French contenders.

As rumours filter through, the line-up of autumn theatrical releases may offer some clues as to artistic director Marco Muller’s possible choices. French films vying for the Golden Lion could include Agnès Jaoui’s Let It Rain [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
(see news - set to be released by StudioCanal on September 17), starring the director, Jean-Pierre Bacri and Jamel Debbouze.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

Other potential hopefuls include Claire Denis’ two films (see news): 35 rhums [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
(“35 Rums”, set to be released in October – Diaphana) and White Material [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
, starring Isabelle Huppert. The latter also plays the leading role, alongside Gaspard Ulliel, in Rithy Panh’s The Sea Wall [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
, which is another possible Venice contender.

Moreover, we shouldn’t dismiss the selection chances of François Dupeyron’s Aide-toi, le ciel t'aidera (“Help Yourself and Heaven Will Help You”, see news - set to be released by ARP Sélection on November 26).

There is also a strong chance of selection for two titles which will be released domestically by UGC: Barbet Schroeder’s Inju [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
(see news – set to hit screens on September 3) starring Benoît Magimel; and Bruno PodalydèsBancs publics (Versailles rive droite) [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
(“Public Benches, Versailles Right Bank”, release date yet to be confirmed).

Outsider favourites include Bertrand Tavernier’s mysterious In the Electric Mist [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Bertrand Tavernier
film profile
]
(TFM Distribution - release date yet to be confirmed) and Possibility of an Island [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
(see news – set to be released by Bac Films on September 10), the debut directorial feature by controversial novelist Michel Houellebecq.

Other completed films which could entice the selectors of Venice’s different sections are French/British/Belgian co-production Vinyan by Belgian director Fabrice du Welz (see news - set to be launched by Wild Bunch Distribution on October 1), starring Emmanuelle Beart; Martin Provost’s Séraphine [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
(set to be released by Diaphana on October 1), starring Yolande Moreau and German actor Ulrich Tukur; Karim Dridi’s Khamsa [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
(set to be launched by Rezo films on October 15); Ilan Duran Cohen’s Le plaisir de chanter (“The Pleasure of Singing”); Karin Albou’s Le chant des mariés (“The Song of the Newlyweds”, set to be released by Pyramide on December 17); and Emmanuel Bourdieu’s Intrusions (see news - set to be released by Rezo Films on September 3), starring Denis Podalydès, Natacha Régnier and Amira Casar.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

(Translated from French)

Did you enjoy reading this article? Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more stories like this directly in your inbox.

Privacy Policy