Dean Crowe Theatre Athlone

Thursday 12 December 2024 8pm *** Note: change of date

Dir: François Ozon France, 2023

Language: French with English subtitles

Running time: 102 minutes Cert: TBC

Starring: Nadia Tereszkiewicz, Rebecca Marder, Isabelle Hubbert, Fabrice Luchini, Dany Boon

In 1930s Paris, aspiring actress Madeleine is accused of murdering a lecherous producer. Seeing an opportunity for her to finally find fame, she and her lawyer friend Pauline come up with a scheme - she will plead guilty!

All goes to plan - Madeleine is acquitted on the grounds of self-defence, and she and Pauline start a new life filled with celebrity and wealth. But then the real murderer comes forward…

Featuring well-known French stars Isabelle Huppert, Fabrice Luchini and Dany Boon, alongside relative newcomers Nadia Tereszkiewicz and Rebecca Marder, all of whom are clearly enjoying themselves, this latest from François Ozon (Frantz, Potiche, 8 Women) is a fun, period caper, but with a sly feminist bite.

Festivals:
Chicago International Film, Festival 2023
Stockholm International Film Festival 2023
Cork French Film Festival 2024

Quotes:
"… a sly slice of feminist triumph … Several generations of France’s finest thespians are clearly enjoying themselves in this stylish tale …" - Screen International

"Ozon, as ever, is not just having fun. He is also making mischief with the sexual politics of the plot. … Amid the charm and the silliness, however, it’s a shock to hear of a wife being pursued for the size of her dowry, and to reflect that French women would not be able to vote until the elections of 1945." - The New Yorker