Acclaimed French director Alain Resnais has made some of the most important films in France’s rich cinematic history. A contemporary of the French New Wave movement of the late 1950s-‘60s (which produced other legendary auteurs François Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard, Éric Rohmer, and Agnès Varda), Resnais’ films have been praised by critics (both American and international), studied in film classes (I know from personal experience), and influenced countless subsequent filmmakers.
In a career spanning over 50 years, his most notable films include: Night and Fog (1955), Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959), Last Year at Marienbad (1961), Providence (1977), Mon oncle d'Amérique (1980), and Smoking/No Smoking (1993).
His newest film, Wild Grass, premiered earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival as Resnais received a special jury prize for “lifetime achievement award for his work and exceptional contribution to the history of cinema.
Wild Grass was positively received by critics (who praised the film as Resnais’ return to his earlier originality) and audiences (helping it become one of Resnais’ most successful movies in years). The film was nominated for four 2010 César Awards (France's equivalent to the Oscars), including Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, and Cinematography.
The story centers on a wallet lost and found, as it opens the door to romantic adventure for Georges and Marguerite. After examining the ID papers of its owner, it is not a simple matter for Georges to turn the red wallet he found in to the police. Nor is it that Marguerite can recuperate her wallet without being piqued with curiosity about whom it was who found it. As they navigate the social protocols of giving and acknowledging thanks, turbulence enters their otherwise quotidian lives.
The film stars André Dussollier (Amélie, A Very Long Engagement, Tell No One, Micmacs), Sabine Azéma (Smoking/No Smoking, Not on the Lips), Emmanuelle Devos (Coco Before Channel, A Christmas Tale, The Beat That My Heart Skipped), and Mathieu Amalric (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Quantum of Solace, Munich).
By the looks of the preview trailer, the film definitely seems unique, highly enjoyable, and visually striking. Certainly a welcome return to the creativity and innovation Resnais is so well known for.
In continuation of its excellent presentations of independent and foreign films, The Theatres at Canal Place will begin screening the film this Friday, October 1, with three showings daily.
Other films showing this weekend at The Theatres at Canal Place: Animal Kingdom, Get Low, The American, The Social Network, The Town, and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. Visit the theatre’s website for more information, ticket prices, and purchasing.
The film is in French with English subtitles and has a runtime of 104 minutes. Wild Grass is Rated- PG for some thematic material, language and brief smoking.
Watch the trailer embedded at the top left of this article.
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Comments
Sounds like a good flick.
Love French films, I will have to check out Wild Grass.
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