Gwenaëlle Simon
- 2001
Three young people are forced to examine their personal and political ideals in this drama. In 1975, Victor (Andoni Gracia) is a young man in his early twenties; while he and his family are originally from Portugal, they emigrated to Paris when Victor's parents decided they could no longer tolerate the nation's Fascist rule. When Socialist factions overthrow Portugal's Fascist government, Victor is eager to celebrate the new freedoms in his homeland, convincing his close friend Marco (Adriano Giannini) to join him for a road trip to Lisbon. Tagging along for the ride is Claire (Gwenaelle Simon), Victor's former girlfriend, who is now married but still hangs out with him. As the three cover the miles to Lisbon in a beat-up Citroen 2CV, boredom leads to tension and anxiety among the three, which isn't eased when Victor discovers Marco once seduced Claire during the time they were still involved. Victor, Marco, and Claire eventually make it to Lisbon, where they meet up with Victor's Uncle Enrique (Francisco Rabal), but the visitors discover the fall of fascism hasn't brought the overnight changes they expected. Alla Rivoluzione Sulla Due Cavalli won the Golden Leopard award at the 2001 Locarno Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adriano Giannini, Gwenaëlle Simon, (more)
- 1999
- NR
The thoughts and dreams of a group of people riding a subway in Paris provides the springboard for Jean-Claude Guiguet's drama Les Passagers/The Passengers. As the train rolls along, various characters either talk among themselves or address the camera on a variety of subjects. A mathematician (Bruno Putzulu) speaks with one of his students (Stephane Rideau) about the statistical implications of the spread of AIDS. A nurse (Fabienne Babe) meets with a security guard she's infatuated with (Philippe Garziano), while her friend enjoys a daydream about the joys of life as a rural housewife. A man rants about problems with sex and the virtues of masturbation, while another person debates the relative merits of the films Savage Nights and The Mother and The Whore. Les Passagers/The Passengers was screened as part of the "Un Certain Regard" series at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fabienne Babe, Philippe Garziano, (more)
The third film in Eric Rohmer's Tales of the Four Seasons quartet takes place in a resort town in Brittany. Gaspard (Melvil Poupaud) has come to enjoy a vacation with his girlfriend, Lena (Aurelia Nolin). However, Lena has yet to arrive, and Gaspard finds his attention drawn to two other women: Margot (Amanda Langlet), a captivating waitress who makes it clear that she only wants friendship, and Solene (Gwenaëlle Simon), a friend of Margot's who isn't against the idea of a brief fling but demands to be treated with the utmost respect. Over the next three weeks, it becomes clear to Gaspard that he must choose among the three women, but who should it be? The final episode in the series, Conte d'Automne, was released two years later. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Melvil Poupaud, Amanda Langlet, (more)
