Boris Terral Movies

While Louis XIV had the longest reign of any French monarch and used his nation's military might to significantly expand his nation's control of Europe, he was also a noted patron of the arts with a particular love for dance, and this historical drama looks at the unlikely relationship between the King of France and noted 17th century composer Jean-Baptiste Lully. As a teenager, Louis XIV (played by Emil Tarding) was the ostensive ruler of France, but his mother Anne of Austria (Colette Emmanuelle) made most of the decisions, while Louis staged elaborate dance pieces set to the music of Lully (Boris Terral). When Lully was forced to leave Italy, he found an eager patron in young Louis, who loved his music and was fascinated by the flamboyant composer and his libertine ways. Years later, after Louis XIV had grown to adulthood, the more mature ruler (now played by Benoit Magimel) took control of France's political and military affairs, to the annoyance of the Prince de Conti (Idwig Stephane), who had been Anne of Austria's top advisor. But as Louis confronted his European neighbors, he also established a French dance academy and commissioned Lully to write a number of new dance scores. Lully's flamboyant nature and open infidelity with both men and women earned him the enmity of the more conservative members of Louis XIV's court, but the King remained Lully's champion until health problems began to affect his ability to dance -- causing him to lose interest in performance, as well as in Lully's music. Le Roi Danse also explores Lully's relationship with Jean Baptiste Poquelin Moliere, with Tcheky Karyo portraying the great playwright. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Alessandro D'Alatri directed this Italian drama about Jesus Christ, covering his childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, an 18-year span not chronicled in the Bible. The film uses names of the period instead of names given in the Bible. The adult Jeoshua (Kim Rossi Stuart) reflects on past events -- his journey into the desert, baptism, acceptance into the Essenes' community, Jewish life in Galilee, his yeshiva studies, education from his father Josef (Omar Chenbod), and his spiritual growth. After seeing slavery, crucifixions, the stoning of an adulteress, and brutal Roman soldiers, Jeoshua turns to God for answers, leaves the village, and is betrayed by his friend Aziz (Said Taghmaoui), who leaves him to die in the desert. Issues such as carnality bring Jeoshua in conflict with the Essenes, yet he speaks out on behalf of the Essene David (popular Italian singer Lorenzo Cherubini). Journeying forth once more, Jeoshua rejoins his cousin Jochannan (Boris Terral), later known as John the Baptist, who recognizes Jeoshua's link to God. Shot in the Moroccan desert by lenser Federico Masiero, the film combines chants, vocals, and Middle Eastern-styled music by Pivio and Aldo De Scalzi. Shown at the 1998 Venice Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

A closeted gay man's attempts to "act straight" for the sake of his job have unexpected consequences in this French comedy. Adrien (Patrick Timsit) is a businessman who is trying to close a major deal with Alexandre (Richard Berry), a powerful banker. Alexandre invites Adrien to attend an upcoming dinner party at his estate; Adrien doesn't want to scotch the deal by saying no, but he would also prefer that macho Alexandre not know that he's gay, a secret he's kept from most of his business associates. Adrien persuades his friend Eva (Fanny Ardant), the proprietor of a popular gay nightspot, to pose as his date for the evening, and her no-nonsense attitude and broad humor score a big hit with Alexandre, who becomes infatuated with her. On the sly from his wife Marie (Michele Laroque), Alexandre begins calling on Eva at her restaurant; Alexandre is a bit puzzled by her clientele, while Eva begins to wonder if he might be gay. Fanny Ardant's performance won her a Cesar Award (the French Oscar) as Best Actress of 1996. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi