Philippe Claudel is an accomplished French writer. However today, i am going to write about Claudel the talented movie maker. "I've loved you so long" (Il y a longtemps que je t'aime) is his debut feature released in France in March 2008. In less than a year, it became one of the most appreciated French movie on the International scene.
I watched it last week during a special screening at the Verona Cinema in Paddington. Elsa Zylberstein who is playing Lea, the main character's sister introduced the film briefly before the screening. It is her second visit to our shores. She was a guest during the French Film Festival ten years ago for the screening of "Lautrec"; a biographical movie about the famous painter Toulouse de Lautrec.
"Il y a longtemps que je t'aime" is a touching story about a woman who starts a new life at her younger sister's house after fifteen years spent in prison. Claudel reveals gradually about his main character and does this with an absolute discretion. It is easy to show things about a character. It becomes harder and of course more interesting if a director takes the initiative of suggesting elements of his character. This will allow the viewer to live a deeper and better rewarding cinematic experience.
Good conflicts are always welcome in a screenplay. The return of an ex prisoner allows a series of confrontations specially when the heroine is the author of a terrible crime; the killing of her own son. Nevertheless, Claudel being an ex teacher for prisoners has no judgement to make about his main character. You might think how horrible is to show such a monstrous person filmed with utmost humanity. This is exactly why this movie has a point of difference. Sometimes there are necessary reasons behind the most disgusting acts. It is the case here and you need to watch it to understand what i mean...
Kristin Scott Thomas is playing the main character. This bilingual actress has a double successful careers in both the French and the anglo-american cinemas. She is convincing as the intruder of the story and will be remembered as a human being with a tragic past.
You can read more about this movie at the following link
http://www.indiewire.com/movies/2008/10/review_a_matter.html
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