Gilles Paquet-Brenner Movies

An engineering graduate supervising the demolition of a mysterious building unearths some unsettling secrets about the pristine building and its previous inhabitants in this dark psychological thriller starring Mischa Barton. Adapted from Serge Brussolo's graphic novel of the same name, Walled In follows fledgling engineer Sam Walczak (Barton) as she ventures deep into the countryside, where the monolithic Malestrazza Building is being prepared for demolition. Constructed by an obsessed architect, the Malestrazza Building has a chilling history. Many of the previous inhabitants were entombed alive in the massive structure, and the deeper Sam digs into the life details of the eccentric architect who designed it, the more convinced she becomes that she will be the final victim in its malevolent legacy. Perhaps by confronting her own sordid past, Sam can escape the curse and somehow find a way to start life anew. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Gilles Paquet-Brenner's psychologically-tinged, French-language action thriller Les Jolies Choses (AKA Pretty Things, 2001) stars Marion Cotillard in a rare double role as identical twins Lucie and Marie. Lucie, who works as a white-hot fashion model, exhibits a dominant, often controlling, "Type A" personality, whereas Marie consistently projects a backward, reserved, laconic and unassuming attitude. When Lucie receives a covetable French recording contract, a significant problem stands in her way: the inability to sing. Marie possesses the voice of an angel, however, and quickly jets off to Paris to stand in for her sister, unannounced - little realizing the dangerous and even violent string of consequences that she is igniting. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide