MOVIES AT LA PLAZA – A NEW EDITION OF CINEMANIA

Movie Review by Sergio Martinez

The 31st edition of the French-language film festival known as Cinemania took place between November 4 and 16 in various theaters in Montreal. Founded in 1995 by Maidy Teitalbaum, this event has played an interesting role in this city, which, although bilingual in practice, often finds that its two linguistic groups do not interact much in the cultural sphere. Cinemania presents a wide-ranging and up-to-date selection of French-language films, the vast majority of which are shown with English subtitles.

THE DISCREET CHARM OF A REMARKABLE STAR

Like other events of this nature, Cinemania also featured the presence of some important figures from the world of cinema. This year, the most outstanding guest was undoubtedly French actress Juliette Binoche, who presented a film in which she made her directorial debut: In-I in Motion, a documentary that recounts her own experiences as a dancer alongside British dancer Akram Khan in 2007 and 2008.

During a press conference, the actress spoke in more detail about this work, as well as another film in which she stars and which was screened at the festival: Camille Claudel 1915.

CAMILLE CLAUDEL 1915

Dir. Bruno Dumont (France)

The artist and former lover of the famous sculptor Auguste Rodin finds herself confined to an asylum for the mentally ill. Camille's (Juliette Binoche) life during the days explored in the film is spent between moments of routine, sharing with other inmates, moments of paranoia when she cooks her own food for fear of being poisoned, a new interview with the doctor who runs the establishment in which she begs to be let go, and—above all—waiting for a visit from her brother Paul (Jean-Luc Vincent). The reference to 1915 is due to the year she was admitted, a situation Camille hopes to reverse. The film strongly denounces the procedures by which someone could be admitted—against their will—to a psychiatric hospital. As was the reality in the 19th century, these institutions, rather than centers for the treatment of mental illness, were places of confinement from which, once admitted, it was difficult to leave. Camille was a clear example of this situation, which this film portrays realistically, with a solid performance by Juliette Binoche.

RUE MÁLAGA (MALAGA STREET)

Dir. Maryam Touzani (Morocco/Spain/Germany/Belgium)

A remarkable film, both for the quality of the acting and the magnificent and realistic staging that conveys the warmth of the street where a large number of Spaniards lived in Tangier, Morocco. María Ángeles (Carmen Maura) is a retired woman who lives independently in her home. A visit from her daughter, Clara (Marta Etura), brings bad news. Facing financial problems in Madrid, Clara has decided to sell the property where her mother lives, the house was in her name. The contrast between Clara's selfishness and her mother's determination to maintain her independence will trigger new situations, some of them very unexpected.

DEUX PIANOS (TWO PIANOS)

Dir. Arnaud Desplechin (France)

This French film deserves a very different assessment, as it is the worst film this critic had previously seen at the Toronto Festival. After an extended stay in Asia, pianist Mathias Vogler (François Civil) decides to return to his native Lyon, invited by his former mentor, pianist Elena (Charlotte Rampling), who is about to retire and with whom he hopes to give a series of concerts. However, from there on, a series of highly implausible events unfolded. While walking in a park, Mathias encounters a child who bears a striking resemblance to himself at that age. Strangely obsessed by this discovery, the event leads him to meet a lover from his youth. The boy would then be his son. All this amid far-fetched coincidences and chance encounters. Add to that a mediocre dialogue.

***

Cinemania is certainly a welcome addition to Montreal's cultural and cinematic landscape, and this edition has confirmed it.