foreign film — i luv cinema

Keep the Recs Coming!

For the past month, I have been working feverishly at my 9 to 5 but am able to have a “movie break” from time to time. As per the multiple suggestions offered by readers in my post from last month, I have amassed a collection of three titles from my local library which I plan to watch and post my reactions to this weekend. The suggestions provided by the audience have just at their mention broadened my cinematic horizons (I would have never thought previously of watching a Danish or Serbian film – was not even sure that there was a Serbian film industry).

But I am having so much fun with this exercise, that I want my readers to keep the hits coming. I am open to any and all suggestions!

8 Femmes (8 Women); France 2002 (Dir. F. Ozon)

Enjoy the long trailer below:

[Advisory: Near the end there is a subtitled bit of "strong" language].

8 Femmes was on Starz Comedy last night. I first saw this film several years ago. Although not a major purveyor of French cinema, I have been known to dabble a little in it. I approached this film with some curiosity as it is a musically-inclined film with a murder mystery at the center of it. The major selling from what I can only amateurly gather is that the “huit femmes” in the film are all very famous French actresses. I would say my knowledge of the majority of them is pretty okay (Ledoyen, Deneuve, Huppert, Darrieux, Sangier, Beart) if not limited to a handful of both French and English language films, but as a film fan I would not say my knowledge is neither extensive nor encyclopedic.

In a modern sensibility, this film can be seen equivalent to the soon to be released Nine, which features a dizzying amount of A-list talent.

Back to 8 Femmes – it did not disappoint. It was a fun musical comedy that was dramatic when it needed to be. I recommend anyone who likes musicals, and murder mysteries in the style of Clue take a gander at this film. It has an interesting (in a pleasing way) ending that is sure not to disappoint.

One year later, Ozon directed another French film that I liked that also was a mystery at the heart of it, Swimming Pool. This film also feature Ms. Sangier in a lead role.