Sylvie Testud Movies
- 1999
Caroline Ducey, who previously gained fame by bearing it all in the 1999 dour erotic drama Romance, stars in this drama set in the 14th century. Alienor (Ducey) is provincial lass who puts her skill with herbal cures to use by healing the festering boil on the king's leg. He rewards her with offering her a husband of her choice. Unfortunately, the betrothed Court Bertrand de Roussillon (Melvil Poupaud) refuses to consummate the marriage. Not a woman to let such a setback keep her down, she resolves to use her healing powers to loose her hymen by any means necessary. This film was screened at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jackie Berroyer, Mathieu Demy, (more)
- 1999
This German family film was based on a book by Erich Kaestner, whose work was previously adapted for the screen in the films Emil and the Detectives and The Parent Trap. Ten-year-old Annaluise (Elea Geissler), nicknamed "Puenktchen," is best friends with Anton (Max Felder) despite the difference in their backgrounds -- Annaluise's parents work in the medical field and are quite well-to-do, while Anton's father is missing and his mother Elli (Meret Becker) has health problems and can only work part-time at a local café. When Elli's doctor advises her to take a trip to the seashore that she cannot afford, Anton steals a gold cigarette lighter from Annaluise's folks, causing serious friction between his mother and her parents. Meanwhile, Anton "borrows" the café's delivery van to head to Berlin in search of his father, while Annaluise tries to make some extra money to help her friend by performing in the subway. The story also pauses occasionally for musical numbers and mild romantic interludes among the grown-up characters. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elea Geissler, Max Felder, (more)
- 1997
Swiss director Markus Imhoof made this Swiss-German-French drama in which a love story, elaborate period details of the year 1912, and an ocean liner all combine to bring Titanic to mind. However, this storyline of switched identities steers a different course. A couple on their honeymoon travel the world of 1912 on a luxury liner. After Juliette (Elodie Bouchez) accuses Philipp (Bruno Todeschini) of marrying her for her father's fortune, she meets shy Esther (Sylvie Testud), due to marry missionary Gustav (Laurent Grevill), although she has yet to meet him. The two women agree to swap both clothing and identities. The adventurous Juliette, dressed simply, then travels to India, where widower Gustav disapproves of her free and open attitudes. Even so, the two develop a passionate attraction, marry, and are deeply involved in an intimate, sexual relationship when Philipp and Esther appear on the scene, triggering a tragic turn of events. Shown at the 1998 Gothenburg Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Élodie Bouchez, Laurent Grévill, (more)
- 1994
This drama is set in 19th century Prussia and looks at the life and dreams of a teenage girl. The year is 1813 and 16-year old Marie is not leading a happy life. She is regularly beaten by her governess and ignored by her mother. Her mother's friend, a merchant, comes to call with his shy nephew whom his uncle frequently beats. Marie is interested in the nephew until she sees a handsome traveller who seems to be a soldier. The stranger and his friends rape Marie and kill her mother. Marie get revenge. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sylvie Testud, Bastian Trost, (more)
