Name Arnaud Desplechin Born 31 October. 1960. Roubaix, France
Background Having studied at the L’lhdec film school in Paris. Desplechin started out in the mid- 1980s as a cameraman for his friend the director Eric Rochant. for whom he later wrote the screenplay A World Without Pity (1989). Desplechin made his own directorial debut in 1992. with the espionage thriller The Sentinel. and four years later his epic comedy of manners Ma Vie Sexuelle brought him to international attention. His exuberant, inventive and emotionally generous films. which include the terrific Kings and Queen. fizz with ideas and emotions. and express the filmmakers love of French New Wave and American cinema.
What’s he up to now? His latest film A Christmas Tale which did good box office in France. is a sprawling tragicomedy set during a seasonal family gathering in Desplechin's home town of Roubaix. Its fine ensemble cast includes Catherine Deneuve, Mathieu Arnalric. Chiara Mastroianni. Anne Consigny and Emmanuelle Devos.
What he says about directing stars ‘lt's scary! I remember the first time I had to do a wide shot in the film. where all the cast are in the same frame. I had to explain to each of them what I wanted. with everyone listening. I don't come from a theatre background. and I find I have to have a different secret with each actor. You can't show that you're scared - you have to give something to each of them.‘ What he says about working with cinematographer Erlc Gautier ‘We’ve worked together since film school. We know each other's tricks now. and the dialogue is very easy between us. He understands instinctively what I want to film. For A Christmas Tale l wanted to make sure it was never sugary or kitsch.’ lntomflng tact One of Depleschin's favourite recent films is Anton Corbijn's Control.
I A Christmas Tale, GFT. Glasgow, Fri 30 Jan- Thu 5 Feb. See Also Released. page 43.
M THE LIST 22 Jan—5 Feb 2009
Films screening this fortnight are listed below with certificate, star rating, credits, brie! review and venue details. Film index compiled by Paul Dale
1: Indicates flitlist entry
As Simple As Thatil’tii ”O (Seyyed Re/a Niterilt'ltlll. Iran. 2008) lIcngameh (iha/iam. Mehran Kashani. Nayereh liarahani. 97min. Sensitive and subtle portrait of attentive Iranian housewife 'l'ahereh ((iha/iani). I’art the Middle l'astcni l’ilm l‘cstival. I'ilrrihou.\e. Iz'rlinliurgli. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (l5) 0.” (Andrew Dominik. ISA. 2007) Brad Pitt. ('ascy Aferck. Mary Louise Parker. IS9mm. Remarkable. breathtaking Westcni about the last days of one of America's most infamous outlaws. The film opens in t879 in (ilendale. Missouri where the James gang. depleted by arrests. deaths and defections. are about to begin their final crime spree of train and canal robberies. 'Ihis bnital. slow and beautifully presented endgame drama is a joy. and if country rubes. robbery and outlaw martyrdom are your thing. it is not to be missed. Part of Short Sighted ()scar season. Film/rouse. Edinburgh. Australia ( IZA) 0” (Ba/ I.uhrmann. Australia/l ’S. 2008) Nicole Kidman. Hugh Jackman. Brandon Walters. ItiSmin. I’rissy Iinglish woman Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman) heads to Airstralia thinking she‘s going to catch her husband cheating on her. only to find a country run by bigots. I.uhrniann soon takes lady Sarah walkabout. delivering a seriously damning verdict on his country's past. Btit hard hitting social commentary is not l.uhrinann’s forte and while he strives for pertinence. all is lost in a magical realist swish. (ielteral release.
The Ballad of Cable Hogue
(Hi) ”0. (Sam I’eckinpah. US. I970) Jason Robards. Stella Stevens. David Warner. I2Irnin. Prospector (‘ablc Ilogue (Robards) is robbed and left for dead in the desert. I’eckinpah‘s strange and beguiling Western portrays the efforts made by llogtie to transform a watering hole into an oasis. and take revenge on the men who savagely betrayed him. Part of l’eckinpah season. I'ilrrihouxe. Iirliiiliureli. Bamako (PU) oooo (AIxIerrahmanc Sissako. Mali/US/l‘rance. 2006) A'i'ssa Ma'i'ga. Maimouna Ileleiie Diarra. BaIla llabib Dembele. l I7inin. African political drama following a mock trial in the Malian city of Bamako between African civil society and Western financial institutions. Avoiding dour didacticisiii by contrasting the proceedings with snapshots of everyday life. this is more than an exercise in the iniquities of globali/ation. A('I-.'. Edinburgh. Bashu, The Little Stranger (Hi) .0” (Bahrain Bci/ai. Iran. I989) Susan 'Iasliini. l’arvis l’ourhosseini. Adnan Afravian. l20min. ()rphaned by the Iran- lraq War. I0-year-old Iranian Bashu (Afravian) slows away to the Northern pan of the country in a tnick. Faced with an alien culture. Bashu is helped by Naii ('Iaslimi). a mother struggling to raise two young children whilst her husband farms. The pair slowly rebuild Bashu's confidence and hope finally emerges. Part the Middle Fasten) Film Festival. I-‘i'lmliouse. lulinhurgh. Bedtime Stories (l’(i) 0. (Adam Shankman. US. 2008) Adam Sandler. Keri Russell. (‘ourteney (‘ox. 90min. Family fantasy about a man who can make bedtime stories come to life. (ieneral release. Belle de Jour ( no.0”. (Luis Bunuel. France/Italy. I967) (‘atherinc Deneuve. Jean Sorel. Michel l’iccoli. 99min. The taboo-bUsting film about a beautiful. faithful and bored young housewife Severine (Dcneuve) who finds her inner fetishism in the brothels of her small town. Forty years on it‘s still shocking. funny. clever. sexy and peculiarly familiar. (in and see it: it’s good old fashioned anhouse pom. for heaven’s sake. Glasgow Film Theatre. Glasgow. Beverty Hills Chihuahua (U) Q. (Raja (iosnell. US/Mexico. 2008)
Drew Barrymore (voice). Piper l’crabo. Andy (iarcia 8lniin 'lhis brightly Ill family comedy is a vapid fish out of water confection. revolv ing around posh poivch ('hloe (voiced by Barrymore) who gets kidnapped from Rachel il’crabo) during a resort vacation. to keep ('hIoe's real owner. Rachel's aunt Vivian (Ice ('urtis). in the dark. Rachel sets out to rescue the pampered pet from her potential late at the hands of Mexican dogfighters 'l‘alent heavy one joke talking dog movie (ieneral releaie. The Big Lebowski ( I8) ”.0 (lien. l'S. I997) Jefl Bridges. John (ioodman. Steve Buscemi I l imin 'lhe ('oen brothers give their unique twist to a ('handler esque l.A noir. as 70s Illppy throwback Jeff "lite “tide" I.cbow ski (Bridges) is drawn into the sordid affairs of his millionaire namesake. Suddenly he has to sleuth his way through disorganised crime. ’I‘radeinark oddball characters. surreal imagery and excellent ix-rforinances grace this virtuoso comedy. Scolvnian .S'i‘reening Room. lziliriliurgli. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (I2A) 0 (Mark llcrman. l'S/l‘ls'. 2008) Vera I‘armiga. David ’lhcwlis. Rupert I-‘ricnd. ‘Hrnin. Bruno (Butterficld) is the nine year old son of a Na/i ('oinmandant ('Ihewlis). When his father is seconded to manage a concentration camp. the lonely Bruno makes a new friend. Schmucl (Scanlon). beyond the high wire. Badly acted and clumsily directed. this liberal gtiilt monger sweeping—emf historical nonsense is simply unnecessary. Iini/iire ( 'Ivilelmnk. Bride Wars (PG) ooo ((iary Winick. US. 2009) Anne Hathaway. Kate Hudson. ('andicc Bergen. 90min. A few good jokes and set pieces from the makers of (lg/v Betty and lipstick Jungle. but ultimately a patronising idea of what a ‘girl's flick' should be. that never quite makes it down the aisle. (ieneral release. The Broken ( I8) ooo (Sean Iillis. France/UK. 2008) lena Ileadcy. Richard Jenkins. Asier Newman. 88min. See review. page 4 l. Selected release. Casino Royale (IZA) 00 (Martin Campbell. US/UK/(‘Icch Republic. 2006) Daniel ('raig. Iiva (ireen. Mads Mikkelsen. l44rnin. 'l'he prequel to the other Bond films time warps back to the enduring action hero becoming a ()0 licensed to kill. The latest Bond ((‘raig) proves to be a strong leading man. but the film is let down by trying to do too much. With a weak villain and Bond girl to boot. it doesn't really feel like a Bond film at all. (amen, Iii/inbure/i. Chandni Chowk to China ( IZA) ooo (Nikhil Advani. India/US. 2009) Akshay Kumar. l)eepika l’adukone. (‘hia lltii l.iu. I 10min. Likeably silly action comedy about the envy adventures of a simplcton Delhi chef who travels from India to (‘hina. The film is the first of a series of co-prtxfuctions between US based Warner studios and Indian production houses. Selected release. Changeling ( l5) oooo ((‘Iini l‘astw'ixid. US. 2008) Angelina Jolie. (iattlin (iriffith. John Malkovich. HImm. When (‘hristine ('oIlins' (Jolie) son Walter ((Iriffith) goes missing. she is initially relived when the I.Al’l) say they can return the boy to her. but on seeing him she does not recognise the child. Iler subsequent accUsations of conspiracy prompt the authorities to take shocking and radical action. 'lhe stolen child theme may be a inelixframatic staple. but l-‘astwixxl's old- fashioned and deeply classy woman‘s picture is a timeless affair. Dominion. Iz'ilirihureh.
Che: Part One ( l5) ”.0
(Steven Soderbergh. Spain/France/l IS. 2008) Benicio l)el ’l'oro. Rodrigo Santoro, l)emian Bichir. 126mm. Part one of Soderbcrgh's structurally magnificent ‘film diptych‘ about (”he (iuevara (Del Torn) unfolds in a non-linear fashion. This biopic details his life as a collection of incidents rather than a coherent whole with three events are used to highlight ('he's philosophy his initial meeting with Fidel Castro; the fighting in the Sierra Maestra
(Joel
mountain regions. and his controversial l9tsl speech to the l'nited Nations Sell-i ml ri'leau‘
A Christmas Tate t l5) 0..
(Amatid Desplechin. l‘rance. 2008) ('athcrinc l)eneuve. Mathieu Amalia. Jean Paul RoussiIIon I‘llmrn See also \fso Released. page 4* and profile in listings (ilaveou I'll!" Iln‘atn'. (ilaveou
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (I‘( it 0. (Andrew Adamson. l'K/l'S. 2008) l iam Neeson. Tilda Swinton. Ben Barnes l-t ‘smrn In the second instalment of the Narnia films, the l’evcnsie children are summoned back to Narnia for .i slick. fast paced romp through dark woods. underground caverns .iiid fierce battles. With a simplistic plot. and (Iispiau (Battles) reduced It) .i pretty face. Iltsttcv may have finally brought Narnia to the big screen. but for a real tourney of the imagination. stick to the books ('oiniorlil I'aIk/ieail. (ilaveim. ('Ilii'iiurlil l «lin/uuelr Izilinliurgli
City of Efl‘lbel’lHi) ooo ((ill ls'cnan. IS. 2008) Bill Murray. l'iiii Robbins. Saoirse Ronan l00min Students from the underground city of lxmber go through a series of adventures to help its citi/clis escape tts Itictcasltlg dctcttotattotl Ilo lttlltt btit visually impressive children's adventure set li ('tlleltnl'lil l'rtlklleail. Glasgow:
Cleopatrailzim ((‘i-t-ilI) l)eMiIle. US. l‘) H) ('Iatldette ('iilIX‘rt. Warren William. Ilenry Wilcox 99min linioyabty camp re telling of the life of the man hungry Iigy'ptian ruler. l-ull of DeMille tistial splendour Edinburgh I'ilrn (iuilil. Edinburgh.
Clubbed f IX) . (Neil 'I'Iioilipsott. UK. 2009) Mel Raido. Shaun l’arkes. Scot Williams. 94min. Abysmal Midlands set rites»of passage drama set amongst the world of club doormen or bouncers in the I980s. Based on a book by (ieofl 'lliompson. Showcase ('inenia. I’aivlev. Curse of the Golden Flower ( l5) oooo (lliaiig Yimou. ('hina. 2006) ('how Yuri fat. (long l.i. Jay ('hoii. lt-lrmn It's the end of the flamboyant but decaying I000-ycar old feudal 'larig dynasty and the liiiipcror (( 'how Yuri I-at) his l',lllpl't'ss ((iong LI) and their sons are engaged Ill a Shakespearean downfall. 'l'he stunningly realised combat set pieces and sumptuous period design may not be enough for cliop socky fans but the literary core makes II a rich emotional experience. Part of ('Iiiiiese New Year season. l‘llllllllalu'. Iziliriluugli. Cyberworld 30 (PH) (Various. US, 2000) Jenna lilfman. Matt I‘rewer. Woody Allen. ~lsllltltl. Jenna lilllllilll is the cyber Iiost who iiitrixluces us to various unrelated segments of cyber animation. llte Sim/mini and Ant; make ll) aprrarances in a sgx'ctacular display of today‘s most impressive graphic technology. [MAX “realre. Glasgow.
Dance on Screen (Ii) (Varltitls) 90min. A programme of historical films examining the relationship between dance. movement and the camera. I‘ashion photographer David |.a('hapcl|c directs Rise. a documentary about the fast and fierce |,os Angcles dance stylc krumping. ('( A (ilatguli‘.
The Day The Earth Stood Still (I2A) ”C (Scott l)erricksori. IS. 2008) Keanu Reeves. Jennifer ('onnelly'. Jon llamm. l05min. Ilere. as in Wise's original. mankind's future is placed in the hands of alien visitor Klaatu (Reeves). who has been sent to Judge its capacity for change in the wake of the environmental damage they have inflicted upon the planet. It's up to Dr Helen Benson ((‘onnellyi and her stepson Jacob (Smith) to convince him that they are ready before it's too late and he triggers their destruction. A remake with more contemporary resonance than most. IMAX Theatre, Glasgow; Vue [Zilllt/lllfg/t ()i'ean. Deep Sea 30 (PG) (lloward llall. ('anada/US. 2006) Voices of Johnny l)epp. Kate Winslct. ~1lmin.A i-l) digital exploration of the ocean's depths and its creatures. [MAX “mare. Glasgow. Defiance ( IS) 0.. (I-deard '/,wick. US. 2009) Daniel ('raig. Liev Schrciber. Jamie Bell. l36min. Remarkable true story