Philippe Harel Movies

A thirtysomething Parisian couple finally follow their dream of owning a rural bed and breakfast, only to discover that dreams aren't all they're cracked up to be in Claude Duty's 2003 comedy Bienvenue a gite (Bed and Breakfast). Bertrand (Philippe Harel) and his girlfriend Caroline (Marina Fois) buy a multiple room bed and breakfast in Provence and eagerly leave their big city, Parisian lives behind for what they imagine to be a more relaxing and introspective rustic existence. Arriving in their new home proves to be a much bigger change than either expected, however, with little actually changing in Caroline's outlook on life other than the focus of her incessant micromanaging. Bertrand, after some difficulty, begins to acclimate to his new surroundings and makes some new friends, including Peter (Michael Maloney) and Julien (Sebastian Barrio), the owners of a nearby gay-orientated bed and breakfast. The defining moment for Bertrand and Caroline's relationship -- and sanity -- comes when Caroline volunteers to spearhead the village's millennial anniversary, which proves to be a much larger undertaking than anything she tried to do while still living in Paris. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide

Lies, betrayal, lust, and ennui are just a few of the themes at work in this knowing and urbane dissection of modern love and relationships, which follows the romantic pursuits of four disparate couples. Gabrielle is a shy but attractive librarian who falls for Remy, a seductive rake. Vanessa is a beautician who decides to shack up with Gerard, a significantly older professor of literature who compounds his loftiness by smoking a pipe. Then there's Brigitte, a rather bodacious woman who charms the pants off the younger Claude at a gallery opening. Finally, there is Cyril, an average Joe who falls in love with the stunningly beautiful Anick, and can't quite believe his luck. Director Eric Assous uses the ins and outs of all four couples to examine the never-ending battle of the sexes with humor, drama, and a keen eye for the nuances of gender politics. Very Opposite Sexes had its North American premiere at the 2002 Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide

A visually stylish comedy with dramatic overtones from director Tonie Marshall, Vénus Beauté (Institut) looks at the lives of three women who work at a small but successful beauty salon. Angele Nathalie Baye is an attractive woman just edging into middle age who is looking for companionship without commitment, even when it comes knocking. Her co-worker Samantha (Mathilde Seigner) has more boyfriends than she knows what to do with, and Marie (Audrey Tautou), the youngest of the group, is still learning the ropes of both love and beauty treatment. Fans of classic French cinema will want to keep an eye peeled for guest appearances from Emmanuelle Riva, Micheline Presle and Edith Scob. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

With an investigative approach not too far from Michael Moore (Roger and Me), filmmaker Philippe Harel and former journalist Denis Robert teamed on this French-Swiss documentary in an effort to uncover the complexities of financial manipulations that keep the wealthy in power. Archival footage is intercut with numerous interviews. Journalists and other interviewees offer a wide range of opinions and speculations, with leftist Liberation publisher Serge July noting that no changes were evident in Italy even after the country "replaced 80% of its elites." In France, nearly $1 billion is spent by the French government to back the written press. With four-fifths of all media going to a small group of controlling firms, censorship quietly lurks in the background. Only one political leader is interviewed, although Robert sent out dozens of requests for interviews. The 116-minute documentary combines film with a video transfer to film. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

A quartet of Parisians embark upon a guided hike in Corsica and end up working through the sometimes comical chaos of their individual lives while becoming lost and contending with such obstacles as bad weather and aching bodies. Both of the female hikers are seeking love, though one of them is involved with their married guide and tries to push him into getting a divorce. The other, a former actress, simply wants the perfect mate. Neither of the two male hikers, one who is involved with an Australian and the other is in love with making money, qualify for her affections. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Using a minimalist setting, this slice-of-life film depicts the routine life of 20-year old Raoul. The unambitious fellow is supposed to be doing research for his thesis "The Color White in Painting." When not avoiding his work, Raoul can be found ogling women. Though he occasionally follows them, he is too shy to speak to them. Raoul wants to be kissed. He does manage a half-hearted sexual fling with Isabelle who gives him more than he bargained for. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this witty and fast-paced short comedy, Claudine is driving her rattletrap of a car and pulling a camping trailer behind it on the way to spending a summer vacation with her boyfriend. The other passenger in her car is Henri, a boy she has little time for. He is her boyfriend's younger brother and is a non-stop complainer. Neither one of them can manage more than a few civil words with the other, and when the car breaks down on the road and they have to take refuge in the camper, it begins to look as though their near-feud will get worse. Instead, Henri begins to show some unsuspected qualities, such as a serious and abiding interest in using home video cameras to make decent films. Before long, they are joined by another stranded traveler, Titia, a local girl who is hiding from her now-rejected boyfriend. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide