French Film Festival 2013

Belgian cinéma at the French Film Festival - November 2013

Henri (15)

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Henri, in his 50s, runs a small restaurant on a side road in Belgium. Henri’s life is suddenly cast asunder when he hires Rosette, a handicapped young girl. With her youth, enthusiasm and singular way of seeing the world, she will stir Henri and bring him back to life.

After a misunderstanding, however, former cycling champion Henri smashes up his restaurant and they both go on the lam to Middelkerke ,where they take in the joys of the local funfair and start to fall in love.

This represents a second outing as writer-director for the ever-popular Belgian actress Yolande Moreau, who has been a colourfully lively presence in French cinema for nearly three decades. Moreau’s own virtuoso cameo as a motor mouth party-organiser, meanwhile, provides a welcome burst of hilarity.

Moreau enjoyed great personal success with When The Sea Rises (2004), co-written and co-directed with Gilles Porte. She landed César awards for Best Actress and Best First Film. She later found her signature role as the eponymous housekeeper-turned-painter in Martin Provost’s Seraphine (2009), scoring a second Best Actress César.

Cast: Pippo Delbono, Candy Ming, Jackie Berroyer Director: Yolande Moreau I 2013 I 107mins I Int. Sales Le Pacte

A low-key charmerwith its heart in the right place.

Hollywood Reporter

Edinburgh Filmhouse

Thu 7 Nov 20:30 + PA

Glasgow Film Theatre

Sun 17 Nov 13:45

London Ciné Lumière

Thu 21 Nov 18:15

Tenderness (La tendresse) (15)

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Ski instructor Jack (Adrien Jolivet) has injured his leg in a snowboarding accident with his girlfriend in the French Alps and needs his long divorced parents, Frans (Olivier Gourmet) and Lisa (Marilyne Canto) to drive from Belgium to collect him and his van.

The film is a subtle character study of two old friends who have progressed beyond the bitterness of their divorce. They irritate each other, in some ways still love each other, and have the interests of their son to bind them. Marilyne Canto gives a delightful performance as an intelligent independent woman with a pleasant hint of zaniness whilst Olivier Gourmet blends middle-aged arrogance with a gruff good nature.

Marion Hänsel’s production - the first based on her own script - is a magnificently mature piece of work driven by thoughtful and engaging performances by Canto and Gourmet. To be seen and savoured.

Cast: Marilyne Canto, Olivier Gourmet, Adrien Jolivet, Sergi Lopez, Margaux Chatelier Director: Marion Hänsel I 2013 I 81mins I Int. Sales Doc&Film

Awork of rich emotion and light drama...Tenderness is all about love. Variety

Variety

Edinburgh Filmhouse

Sun 10 Nov 13:30 & 18:15

Glasgow Film Theatre

Sat 16 Nov 13:30

London Ciné Lumière

Wed 20 Nov 20:40

Aberdeen The Belmont

Sat 23 Nov 18:30

For more information about the French Film Festival 2013 please view their programme or visit their website: