This gripping and beautiful drama, about a huge secret in a dysfunctional family, was on my radar screen because of its 11 César (French Academy) nominations (won only supporting actress for Julie Depardieu (Gérard's daughter) who plays Louise), as well as the starring role of Cécile de France (I wrote about her in Hereafter) as Tania. Based on a semi-autobiographical novel by Philippe Grimbert, adapted and directed by Claude Miller, it jumps around in time from 1955 to the present to before and during World War II. It also stars Patrick Bruel as Maxime, Mathieu Amalric (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007), Quantum of Solace, Wild Grass) as the adult François, two talented boys, Valentin Vigourt (who looks a lot like Lukas Haas did in Witness (1985)) and Quentin Dubuis, as younger versions of François, and the radiant Ludivine Sagnier (Swimming Pool (2003), Moliére (2007), 8 Women (8 femmes - 2002), Paris Je T'aime (2006)) as Hannah.
The luscious cinematography is by Gérard de Battista and the moving score is composed by Zbigniew Preisner. This played at many Jewish Film Festivals around the country, but, if you missed it, you can get the DVD from netflix or watch it right now, streaming on your computer, from the netflix site. I suggest you do!
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