François Simon Movies

The internationally renowned string quartet had been performing together for most of their adult lives when their lead violinist suddenly died, leaving the remaining three confused about their lives and careers. Up till then, all they had known were the rigors of constant practice and traveling. Music was everything, and they never took the time to sample Life's other pleasures. The trio decide to split up, but then a young violinist shows up and convinces them to reform the group and let him take over. He is one of the most talented players they have ever heard and the quartet once again makes sweet music. But as good as he is on stage, the youth is a wild man off stage who freely smokes dope, sleeps with fans, and parties whenever he can. Seeing that his private life has not affected the brilliance of his playing and even suspecting that it may even improve his playing, the three old players are thrown into personal tail spins as they look back at their own austere life choices. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Based on an autobiographical novel by Carlo Levi, Cristo si e fermato a Eboli stars Gian-Maria Volonte as Levi, a prominent anti-fascist author and artist who, during Mussolini's regime was exiled to Eboli, a tiny village in Southern Italy. The government believed Levi's controversial views would fall on deaf ears, but as he spent time in the small pastoral community, the simple wisdom of the peasants came to have a profound impact on Levi, and his beliefs would also impact the people of Eboli. Francesco Rosi's film is usually screened in a version running 150 minutes, though a longer 210 minute cut is also available. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) was a French philosopher and writer whose works helped to usher in the modern era, and were especially important in laying the groundwork for the idealization of nature and "primitive" societies, as well as much of the rationale for socialism. This film explores the last years of the great rebel's life, after he was forced into exile in 1762 by the publication of his book Emile. Living in Switzerland, Prussia and England, he was constantly hounded by churchmen for his nonconformity. Eventually, his troubles cause him to degenerate into a paranoid old lunatic. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Set in the 19th century, and based on the classic Swiss novel Die Richterin by C. F. Meyer, this film tells a story of ghosts, incest and murder in a mountain village. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

The heiress Claire (Charlotte Rampling) in this movie is the daughter of the Miss Blandish of the film No Orchids for Miss Blandish. She has been raised under the unsympathetic eye of her aunt (Edwige Feuillere), who has no intention of seeing her receive her large inheritance. A somewhat violent girl (her father was a mentally retarded killer), she has been confined in a mental asylum. All the men who help her meet tragedy and death in the course of the film, but Claire gets help from other quarters, and her prospects look good. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Ottocaro (Francois Simon) has a flea circus. When those fleas are killed by a nearby spraying of insecticide, he decides to stage an homage to the black plague, using rats. His activities draw the attention of a rich man who wishes to actually spread the plague. This nefarious plot is denied fruition by the brave actions of Ottocaro. This Swiss film is in the German language, and is an important example of the filmmaking movement known as anti-illusionism by the noted Swiss director Thomas Koerfer. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Originally Mourir D'Aimer, this 1970 French film is an "a clef" treatment of the once-notorious Gabrielle Russier case. Annie Girardot stars as a thirtyish schoolteacher, who falls in love with teenaged student Bruno Pradal. The boy's parents bring charges against the teacher, and the subsequent public scandal ruins the lives of both lovers. Director Andre Cayatte was a longtime opponent of the antiquated French legal system, so it's not surprising that the cards are stacked in favor of the teacher and student, with their accusers depicted in the foulest, ugliest terms. Adding to the film's partisan approach is the fact that the screenplay is based on a story written by the real Gabrielle Russier's attorney. To Die of Love is shameless in its manipulation of the audience; it also has the saving grace of being extremely well produced. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

George (Francois Simon) takes care of his invalid wife and holds down a full-time job. When an investment firm wipes out his life savings, the middle-aged George is soon forced into retirement for health reasons. George takes up a life of crime when the company turns his back on him and the money is gone overnight. He is soon driven to the brink of insanity over the unfortunate series of events that transpire. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi