Bertrand Gore Movies
A women living in a city that is slowly being transformed by Muslim activists takes a small stand for the glories of decadence in this comedy drama. Mrs. Sandjak (Biyouna) is a flamboyant and headstrong woman living in Algiers who, in her younger days, earned a living as an exotic dancer known as "Papicha." As Muslim fundamentalists begin taking a greater measure of control over the city, the decidedly non-fundamentalist Papicha finds herself living in a run-down hotel with her daughter, Goucem (Lubna Azabal). Goucem is an attractive twentysomething who works in a photo shop, and has been having an affair with a doctor (Lounes Tazairt), though to her chagrin he seems little inclined to leave his wife for her. Mrs. Sandjak has found a kindred spirit in her next-door neighbor Fifi (Nadia Kaci), a cheerful prostitute who sees no shame in her profession, and the former dancer makes friends with Tiziri (Lynda Harchaoui), a young girl who likes Papicha's brash style and wants to learn how to dance. One day, Mrs. Sandjak receives word that a celebrated nightclub where she once performed is being turned into a mosque; saddened and enraged that the city she knew is changing, she decides to find a venue that will still allow her to dance as she sets out to resume her career. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lubna Azabal, Biyouna, (more)
- 2003
Christophe Blanc's coming-of-age film Une Grande Fille Comme Toi (A Big Girl Like You) charts the life lessons learned by a young girl living on her own in Paris. Sabine (Mercedes Cecchetto) is a large-chested, attractive 16-year-old attending a catering school. Her natural rebelliousness, along with her zest for sex, leads to her being expelled. She goes to Paris where she soaks up the party scene, but rarely worries about everyday concerns like a job. After fielding an offer to make a pornographic movie, Sabine begins to examine how she will fit into the world. A Big Girl Like You screened at the Berlin Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mercedes Cecchetto, Laura Locatelli, (more)
Two ten-year-old boys from the inner city decide that nobody needs a vacation quite as much as they do, and head for the beach. Having no real money is hardly a concern for kids as resourceful as these two: from flirting with middle-aged women to camping out in the woods, they have every intention of making the most of their time in the sun. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Aymen Saïdi, Ibrahim Koma, (more)
- 2001
A young man must reconcile his nostalgia for the past with the unfortunate realities of the present in this drama. Shortly after graduating from college, Paul (Mathieu Amalric) receives word from his mother Odette (Michele Gary) that his father (Roger Souza) has been diagnosed with cancer and doesn't have long to live. Paul decides to come home for an extended visit, and while he's happy to become reacquainted with his mom, he has issues with his father and isn't sure how to approach him. After several years away, Paul is shocked at how much the countryside has changed; developers have been buying up property in the area, and suburban subdivisions are replacing the family farms he remembered. Paul renews his friendship with Thierry (Fabrice Cals), who was his best friend as a boy, but he soon finds this is another area where things have changed; Thierry's girlfriend these days is Odile (Lauryl Brossier), who confesses to Paul that she was infatuated with him when they were schoolmates years ago, and while he's quite smitten with her, he doesn't want to betray his friendship with Thierry, who is growing visibly uncomfortable with their casual affection. As Paul must come to terms with his relationship with his father, he also has to face the reality that his father's death will mean the end of the family's farm -- a prospect that bothers Paul more than it does Odette. Amour D'Enfance was screened at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival, where it was shown as part of the Un Certain Regard series. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mathieu Amalric
- 2000
Christophe Blanc directs his nuanced character study of a nurse, wife, and mother of three who is on the verge of a breakdown. After learning that her husband of 15 years is having an affair with his young slatternly secretary, Francoise (Agnes Jaoui) throws her spouse out on his ear and starts frequenting seedy bars. As she slowly disconnects from her job and her children, she starts hanging out at boxing rings, having cheap and easy sex. and eventually ending up in the same hospital where she works. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Agnès Jaoui, Serge Riaboukine, (more)
- 1996
Lucie (Sara Haxaire) is a stripper who has a difficult relationship with her disappointed mother (Evelyne Ker). When Charles, the strip-club emcee, brings his blind brother Jean (Jean-Jacques Benhamou) to work, Lucie starts a relationship with him, just for the perverse reason that he can never see her even though she is on view for any paying customer. Jean recently lost his eyesight in an accident, and is bitter and possibly suicidal. His relationship with Lucie is abusive and violent, but that seems to be just what the two of them want. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean-Jacques Benhamou, Sarah Haxaire, (more)
