A BURNING HOT SUMMER
The latest searing drama from French master Philippe Garrel loosely evokes Godard’s CONTEMPT, as a once-happy marriage between a brooding painter (Louis Garrel, the director’s son) and his movie-star wife (Monica Bellucci) hits the rocks. One burning summer night, a sports car crashes headlong into a tree. The previous year Paul and Frederic meet through a mutual friend that develops into a summer sojourn with their significant others, Angele and Elisabeth. The film is featured on the top ten list of Cahiers du Cinema.
"Philippe Garrel is the proverbial underrated genius. He is the closet thing to a poet functioning today in French cinema."
-Olivier Assayas
"Exquisitely realized... gracious cinema... the film exudes... his unmatched ability to freeze moments in an amber-like eternity."
-Kevin B. Lee, FANDOR
During the Roman holiday, the couples get to know each other as tensions and passions flare. A tale of desire, longing, and self-destruction infuses this sensual French film, a perfect antidote to mindless summer cinema. With a score by the Velvet Underground’s John Cale, and the legendary Maurice Garrel (the director’s father) in his final role. The film marks a career resurgence from Garrel following his moving films REGULAR LOVERS and FRONTIER OF THE DAWN.
Directed by Philippe Garrel. Unrated.
France, 2012, Digital Projection, 95minutes, Color, French with English subtitles.