UNE NOUVELLE AMIE (THE NEW GIRLFRIEND) |
In French with English subtitles. AWARDS - Critics Award, São Paulo International Film Festival, 2014 REVIEWS ... A delectable riff on transformation, desire and sexuality that blends the heightened reality of melodrama with mischievous humour and an understated strain of hitchcockian suspense. David Rooney - The Hollywood Reporter Anais Demoustier and Romain Duris give beautifully controlled performances in Francois Ozon's delectably entertaining new film. Justin Chang - Variety Another witty dissection of social and sexual mores from perennial provocateur Ozon, deftly playing with the unpredictable complexities of desire. Philip Kemp - Total Film François Ozon does it again with this puckish and erotic satire on sexuality and family gender roles. Craig Williams - Little White Lies The filmmaking is exemplary but most impressive of all is the tone that mixes comedy, melodrama and darkness. Ian Freer - Emprie Magazine Virginia, intensely vulnerable but full of self-confidence, is one-of-a-kind. Cath Clarke - Time Out |
The New Girlfriend, the latest feature by prolific filmmaker Francois Ozon (Young & Beautiful - SFFF 2014, In the House - SFFF 2013), stars Anaïs Demoustier (Thérèse – SFFF 2013) as Claire, a young woman whose best friend passes away, leaving behind a husband, David (Romain Duris, The Beat That My Heart Skipped – SFFF 2005, Heartbreaker – SFFF 2010, Chinese Puzzle – SFFF 2014, Mood Indigo – this year at the SFFF) and a newborn baby. One day Claire drops by David's house unexpectedly and finds him dressed in his dead wife's clothes. At first uncomfortable but soon relieved to have someone to share his secret with, David confides more and more in Claire and together they create a female persona, named Virginia, for him. As David begins to identify more strongly as Virginia, Claire starts harboring confusing and conflicting feelings, which causes a rift between her and her husband (Raphaël Personnaz, Three Worlds – SFFF 2013, Marius & Fanny – 1st Mini Fall French Film Festival, Oct 2014). As usual, Ozon manages to tackle sensitive and topical social issues with flair, compassion, and humor. At a time when the world is buzzing with news of Bruce Jenner’s transformation into Caitlyn Jenner, The New Girlfriend offers an intimate view on transgender issues and makes for a fascinating filmgoing experience. Shown with La Nuit tous les chats sont roses by Guillaume Renusson Saturday, June 20 - 6:40pm & Sunday, June 21 - 8:20pm |
