Bertrand Faivre Movies

It marked a sickening and devastating second act to 9/11: on July 7, 2005, a series of bombs exploded on the London subways, all ignited by terrorist extremists. Over 700 people were severely injured, 56 people killed; authorities later discovered a video tape from one of the jihadists, declaring his sect at war with Great Britain. Rachid Bouchareb's drama London River puts a human face on this conflict, by relaying the fictional stories of two people whose lives are turned inside-out by the cataclysm. Ousmane (Sotigui Kouyate) is a Muslim living in France, Mrs. Sommers (Academy Award nominee Brenda Blethyn) a Christian war widow living on the British Channel Isles. Though unacquainted, with differing religious backgrounds, these strangers find themselves united in the city of London, and linked by a shared tragedy: each has lost touch with a child amid the attacks - Mrs. Sommers, a daughter named Jane and Ousmane, a son named Ali - and it so happens that the two were dating. Together, the couple begin combing the city and searching for their loved ones - bound by a hope that both children survive. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

Tilda Swinton stars in director Erick Zonca's drama about a 40-year-old alcoholic who, in a rare moment of sobriety, sees where her life is headed and makes one last-ditch attempt to steer herself away from the disastrous path that she has been locked on for as far back as she can remember. Julia may be manipulative, notoriously untrustworthy, and completely incapable of uttering any word that isn't an outright lie, but somehow -- perhaps due to sheer charisma -- this statuesque deceiver has always managed to get by. But Julia has been hardened by too many vodkas and too many one-night stands, and lately the lonely life of drifting from job to job in her 1979 Chrysler New Yorker has left her wanting something more. While her old boyfriend Mitch occasionally tries to break through Julia's haze, lately she has surrendered herself to the fact that she is simply one of life's losers. As her finances begin to run short and panic begins to set in, a desperate Julia turns to crime but is forced to go on the run with a young boy named Tom after her plan falls hopelessly apart. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

The year is 1914, and as World War I continues to rage across the European countryside, four individuals stuck on the front lines find themselves faced with the unthinkable in director Christian Carion's Academy Award-nominated account of the true-life wartime event that would offer hope for peace in mankind's darkest hour. When the war machines began rolling in the summer of 1914, the devastation that it waged upon German, British, and French troops was palpable. As the winter winds began to blow and the soldiers sat huddled in their trenches awaiting the generous Christmas care packages sent by the families, the sounds of warfare took a momentary backseat to the yearning for brotherhood among all of mankind. It is here that the fate of a French lieutenant, a Scottish priest, a German tenor, and a Danish soprano's lives were about to be changed forever. On Christmas Eve of that year, the lonely souls of the front lines abandoned their arms to reach out to their enemies on the battlefield and greet them with not anger or hostility, but with the simple, kindly gesture of a much needed cigarette or a treasured piece of chocolate, and to put their differences aside long enough to wish their brothers a sincere "Merry Christmas!" ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Directed by Christophe Ruggia, Les Diables (The Devils) chronicles the struggle of an autistic girl and her brother trying to survive without their parents. Chloe (Adele Haenel) is 13, and has been profoundly damaged from a life of abandonment -- so much so that she refuses to be to be physically touched, and never speaks. Her brother, Joseph (Vincent Rottiers), despite being slightly younger, has taken a fiercely protective stance with his sister. Street-smart and wiser than his years, Joseph hopes that they'll eventually find a family who will take them both in. Though their situation forces them to steal, the authorities catch them and leave the two siblings inside of a home for disturbed youth. At first, Joseph tries to escape, but puts his plans on hold when it looks as if a doctor is making progress with Chloe. Eventually, however, fights with the other orphans and a shocking piece of news force the children to go on the run once more. Les Diables was extremely well-received at the Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide

One man's desire to better himself and improve his family's station in life has dire and unexpected consequences in this realistic thriller. Pierre (Gerald Laroche) is a worker in a glass factory whose small stature and quiet demeanor do not disguise the fact that he wants his wife Carole (Luce Mouchel) and son Victor (Bastien Le Roy) to have the good things in life, and he's not afraid to work hard to get them. When Pierre learns that a position is open on the plant's night shift that would pay better, he requests to be transferred, but he soon discovers that the late-shift staff is a different breed than the co-workers he's used to -- especially Fred (Marc Barbe), a large and arrogant man who alternately glad-hands Pierre for his friendship and treats him with contempt. Pierre takes great pains to be civil with Fred, but when Pierre gets a promotion and Fred does not, Fred explodes with rage, and the two find themselves in a vicious argument that stops just short of a fist fight. Before long, Pierre finds himself back in Fred's good graces, and the other workers are friendlier with him, even offering to help Pierre with a home improvement project. But in time Pierre discovers that what looks like friendship is actually part of a sinister and carefully orchestrated attempt on Fred's part to get revenge. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In this screwball comedy from France, Olivier Broche plays Daniel, a dim-witted tollbooth attendant in the French countryside who has always been fascinated by Paris, especially the Eiffel Tower, even though he's never actually been there. One day, despite the advice of his harridan mother (Micheline Presle), Daniel decides to strike out for Paris to visit his cousin Jacques (Francois Morel), who drives a taxi. Once he arrives in the City of Lights, Jacques offers to give Daniel a ride into town in his cab; however, he has to leave his hack in traffic for a moment, and Daniel is suddenly forced to drive a very pregnant woman to the maternity ward. Before long, Daniel has caused a massive auto wreck, landed in jail and finds himself in a mental hospital. The highlight of Le Voyage A Paris is Olivier Broche's deft comic performance as the bumbling Daniel, while director Marc-Henri Dufresne keeps the action moving at a brisk pace. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Comedian Pierre Yves (stand-up comic Jackie Berroyer, who co-scripted) has an act based on his sexual hang-ups. With his adult son Arthur (Tara Romer), Pierre travels to his childhood hometown, drab industrial Lievin in northern France, for an all-night comedy festival. Fest staffer Monica (Karin Viard) takes him on a tour of the town, and he soon develops a fixation on her, making a play for her after learning her husband is in prison. Meanwhile, he has to deal with various interviews, receptions and eventually face an unresponsive audience. Shown at the 1998 Rotterdam Film Festival. Alternate title Whats So Funny About Me? ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Despite his lifelong efforts, Jean is one of those unfortunate men who can never understand women. This arty, metaphorical French film presents three examples of Jean's difficulties over the course of his long life. Each of the three episodes takes place beside the same river. He is first seen as a small boy playing on the river banks with the teenage girl he secretly loves. She mischievously promises to tell him her darkest secret if only he will perform a certain task for her. The story then takes a more surreal turn as a now-grown Jean, once again beside the river, toys with a beautiful woman at a picnic. She wants a commitment from him, but wily Jean is unwilling to satisfy her. In the final segment, Jean has become an old man and is once again deeply in love. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide