Pauline Acquart - Retenez Son Nom

[Owen]

Hmmm. Not the greatest selection, is it?
I thought there may have been more French films showing.

I'm sorry, I wasn't perfectly clear, there are French movies but not as well distributed. It also depends on what kind of movie it is. Tomorrow I'll give some numbers, to corroborate my point.
By the way, Telerama gives different numbers, I don't know why. Last week there were 11 theaters listed, and this week 11 still on Allociné, but on Telerama last week there were 44, and 66 this week. I don't understand how it works, if it's only the cinema rooms which play the film that are listed, or film sessions per day.

Personally I loved Floriane's reaction in the first few second's after the kiss ended.

I never analysed that part. You're right, there is something...

her character Floriane has too much invested in her sexual power over boys to release her iron control of, and cynical detachment from, her real feelings

But we don't know for sure what these feelings are. In the end, it shows her enjoing herself in her solitude and domination. Maybe she got excited from both the kiss and the awareness of being in control. Maybe, Marie was nothing but an instrument (which doesn't deny that there were times when Floriane was sincere).
About Marie being gay, I don't read it this positively. The movie shows transformation, blurred lines, movement. She's maybe gay, maybe not (it is not a statement of truth, only my opinion).

one doubts that Marie will be going back for any more horrible wounding.

When she washes away the lipstick, could it not symbolise Marie's release from her fascination with Floriane?

IMHO, Floriane has great potential for further development (in fanfiction). What would happen if she herself falls in love (not illustrated by NdP, I think)? If she realises that she cares about a boy that she cannot but reject. Or if she's rejected herself and reflects on her own behaviour. What part of Floriane would win?

[fish]

...there are French movies but not as well distributed...

Is it that the French film industry is not as well supported by the distributors in France?
I ask that because I think we suffer in that way in Australia. It's far too easy for them to import US films to the detriment of our own industry.
Sadly it all gets down to money I suspect.

...I never analysed that part...

Once you do see it, it's hard to imagine not previously noticing.

...Floriane has great potential for further development (in fanfiction)...

Is there much of it around?
I don't recall reading any before.


What a speed demon.

[Owen]

So, the numbers, first for last week (retrieved last wednesday, i.e. the opening day) then for this week (retrieved just now, i.e. after 8 days of exploitation), source Allociné:
The BFG : 787 - 1046
Independence Day 2 : 681 - 878 (wtf?)
Purge 3 : 218 - 260
Colonia : 146 - 200
Elvis & Nixon : 98 - 125
Mãe só há uma : 36 - 70
Hai-hil (Man on high heels) : 18 - 24
Little big man (reissue) : 18 - 33
Kabali : 17 - 9
Ещё один год (One more year) : 13 - 19
Fargo (reissue) : 11 - 15
Parenthèse : 11 - 12
Kikujiro (reissue) : 7 - 8
Ausência (appropriate title, I say ) : 3 - 2

Well, I must say that I am surprised at the systematic augmentation, even if it must be due to postponed releases in little theaters. Horizontally it isn't much significant, but looking vertically, it appears that there are five movies only which are distributed in more than a hundred cinemas. And none of them is French. After the sixth, the number drops drastically, and there are many films that have distribution close to none . Only one French movie in the pack, and that is Parenthèse .

To answer you: yes, I definitely think that there is a problem with support from distributors. But I speak empirically, and without having looked at this problem before. There are many factors to consider, that I don't master: the period of the year, the total number of French films produced by year and their distribution, the duration of their exploitation periods and so on. And then there's the "exception culturelle française", which is supposed to mean that there are (theoretically) laws, protecting French cultural productions (for instance, I heard that on the radio there must be 30% of French language music (I am unsure of the details)). I don't know how much of it applies now, but for sure there is also a cultural tradition: productions from various media is considered art and not consumption product.
Finally, there are some efforts to make bigger French productions, by Luc Besson and consorts. I hate Besson, and Europacorp, but the initiative in itself doesn't seem that bad.

Is there much of it around?
I don't recall reading any before.

I suppose there isn't any... yet . The only kind of one was on this forum, by snaps, and involved SML characters and comedy. There is a part on this thread, if I am not mistaken.


P.S. I decided to see what came out this week too. So:
Ice Age 5 : 1147
The Secret Life of Pets : 1074
Now you see me 2 : 805
Race : 264
Genius : 166
Angry Indian Goddesses : 86
Guibord s'en va-t-en guerre : 82
Carmina y amén : 67
Bølgen : 59
A tous les vents du ciel : 22
Black Stone : 11
Dishoom : 10
Uma História de Amor e Fúria (Rio 2096) : 9
The Unbearable Lightness of Being (reissue) : 1

Vertically, there isn't so big a gap between the numbers, but where the fuck are French movies (I see only one (A tous les vents du ciel), Guibord... being from Québec)?!

[fish]

...And none of them is French...

It seems like a sad indictment of the industry that it's becoming more and more centered in one place.
"Los Feliz" is in line with that concept too, I think.
I mean, there's plenty of talent in all facets of film making in Australia, as I'm sure there is in France and indeed all over the world.
It's just that the power of money is dragging it all to the USA.
Whatever will happen to the diversity of the world's cultures?

I'm a believer in supporting artists of all kinds who operate outside the "studio system".
If they get encouragement from people there's a hope that their independence will continue.

Rant completed for the day.

[Owen]

I don't really think that there are less movies produced by different countries, but as far as the big screen goes, the situation indeed appears sad. On the other hand, there are many ways now to obtain foreign movies, including the little and forgotten ones.

I'm a believer in supporting artists of all kinds who operate outside the "studio system".
If they get encouragement from people there's a hope that their independence will continue.

What you do is admirable, and should be imitated (I plan to do in more actively in the future).

(Well, this went a little astray )

[fish]

...as far as the big screen goes...

Most of the big screen films made in Aus unfortunately are made by Fox, (ie Murdoch), at their studios in Sydney using a mostly US cast and crew.
Only a small number of independents produce genuine Australian content.

...there are many ways now to obtain foreign movies...

I would love to find a retail outlet for French and Swedish short films, without having to resort to begging e-mails.
Sadly I don't think anyone at the production/distribution stage expects there to be a demand for them, particularly from some fool on the other side of the world.

[fish]

Like an ephemeral shadow on the breeze, the lovely Mlle A is nowhere to be found.
I started searching again today, trawling through some of her old haunts in the vain hope of finding a clue.
Alas.

[fish]

...the lovely Mlle A is nowhere to be found...

I'm pretty sure she's gone on holiday to Bologna in Italy to see some friends.
There's been a footprint in Alcamo, near Palermo in Sicily too.
Sounds like the "Grand Tour" in my opinion.

I'm still looking for more evidence to confirm this.
Hopefully soon.

Meanwhile, here she is in Lazio looking at a street-side stall with that Devil Phil.
Edgar in the foreground.

[DMt.]

O faithful Fish!

[fish]

So, yesterday, strolling along a beach on the Île De Ré, back in France.
"Black and pink lady."



Thanks Flo for posting such a gigantic pic.

[fish]

Dinner with friends, Île De Ré.

[DMt.]

All eyes on Acquart [except the one browsing the thread ]

[fish]

...except the one browsing the thread

'bout time she joined up then.


Reading at the beach.



Another giant pic, from Bernard this time.



That's my towel.

[fish]

...That's my towel.

Not really of course, but I have one just like it.


Oh Pauline.
Not sand all over my towel, please.

[DMt.]

Nearly caught a smile there...