(Screened as part of the myFrenchFilmFestival.com that is underway only on screens - the TV link does not work for most of the features and the shorts, no matter what anyone else might tell you).
One of the few 'short' efforts I've seen in a while, that packs in as much as a full-length feature, and trying to cover as much, in a short running time.
Shown as a part of the selection showcasing works by young and new French film-makers, this one covers the lives of a few students in a literature class, and examines the dynamic among them, as well as the one they share with one of their teachers, who seems to use unorthodox teaching methods (the actual methods are not completely covered, which is alright), as movie teachers are wont to do, and the sometimes-subtle-sometimes-obvious game of seduction is on, or not, depending on one's viewpoint.
Suffice to say that the narration is never tedious or boring, the setups are suitably intriguing, and the conclusion/s suitably ambiguous that ensure our remembering most of it after the viewing has concluded. One scene involving a community viewing of Renois' work, might have benefited from more context, both before and after it takes place, but I'm on the side for having more ambiguity, rather than having everything exposition'ed and the way they had it here worked for me, and I'd love some debate or discussion on that sequence with anyone interested.
Once again, for the seasoned movie-watcher, there's not much in here that actually surprises/shocks, and that is a pity. There is also enough material here that might allow for a feature, or a follow-up, and that IS always a good thing.
The soundtrack and camera-work are top-notch, and most productions that seem like they're made-for-TV would do well make some notes of this effort, to ensure that their efforts, in turn, imbibe what's needed in order to make the fruit of their labors seem more than the sum of its parts, and I'm sure they'll be blessed with their audience members' gratefulness.
All in all, worth watching, with a like-minded audience, on the big screen. I was lucky enough to catch this as a part of the ongoing myFrenchFilmFestival.com festival.
One of the few 'short' efforts I've seen in a while, that packs in as much as a full-length feature, and trying to cover as much, in a short running time.
Shown as a part of the selection showcasing works by young and new French film-makers, this one covers the lives of a few students in a literature class, and examines the dynamic among them, as well as the one they share with one of their teachers, who seems to use unorthodox teaching methods (the actual methods are not completely covered, which is alright), as movie teachers are wont to do, and the sometimes-subtle-sometimes-obvious game of seduction is on, or not, depending on one's viewpoint.
Suffice to say that the narration is never tedious or boring, the setups are suitably intriguing, and the conclusion/s suitably ambiguous that ensure our remembering most of it after the viewing has concluded. One scene involving a community viewing of Renois' work, might have benefited from more context, both before and after it takes place, but I'm on the side for having more ambiguity, rather than having everything exposition'ed and the way they had it here worked for me, and I'd love some debate or discussion on that sequence with anyone interested.
Once again, for the seasoned movie-watcher, there's not much in here that actually surprises/shocks, and that is a pity. There is also enough material here that might allow for a feature, or a follow-up, and that IS always a good thing.
The soundtrack and camera-work are top-notch, and most productions that seem like they're made-for-TV would do well make some notes of this effort, to ensure that their efforts, in turn, imbibe what's needed in order to make the fruit of their labors seem more than the sum of its parts, and I'm sure they'll be blessed with their audience members' gratefulness.
All in all, worth watching, with a like-minded audience, on the big screen. I was lucky enough to catch this as a part of the ongoing myFrenchFilmFestival.com festival.
