Josée Dayan Movies
French filmmaker Josée Dayan directs the erotic drama Les Liaisons Dangereuses, based on the 18th century novel by Choderlos de Laclos and updated by screenwriter Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt. A co-production of France and Canada, this French-language television miniseries is reimagined with a swinging '60s setting. Madame de Mertueil (Catherine Deneuve) and Vicomte de Valmont (Rupert Everett) are a couple of wealthy and seductive aristocrats. Advancing in years, Mertueil grows jealous when she learns that her old flame Gercourt (Andrzej Zulawski) is planning to marry the much younger Cécile Volanges (Leelee Sobieski). The bored rich couple plot a scheme to have Valmont seduce Cécile before the wedding. Valmont also goes to visit Rosemonde (Danielle Darrieux) in Saint Tropez, where he meets the married woman Marie Tourvel (Nastassja Kinski). Featuring a musical score by Angelo Badalamenti and period costumes by Jean-Paul Gaultier. Les Liaisons Dangereuses premiered on U.S. television on WE: Women's Entertainment in March 2004. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Catherine Deneuve, Rupert Everett, (more)
Noted French filmmaker Josée Dayan directs this portrait of a celebrated love affair between legendary novelist, scriptwriter, essaying, film director and television personality Marguerite Duras and Yann Andrea, a man who is almost half Duras's age. The film opens with Andrea (Aymeric Demarigny), an ardent fan who wrote her numerous letters, showing up at her doorstep of her apartment in Brittany. Though Duras (played by French film icon Jeanne Moreau) at the age of sixty five was not looking for a relationship, Andrea soon pushes his way into her life, typing her manuscripts for her and generally becoming her constant companion. Together, they would spend every moment drinking, smoking, and having passionate conversations about everything under the sun. As portrayed in the film, Duras was both a woman of great charm and generosity, but also a profoundly moody character given to great egotism. In spite of this, Andrea and Duras's relationship lasted for sixteen years until her death in 1996. This film was screened at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeanne Moreau
- 2000
Victor Hugo's classic story of one man's struggle to redeem himself -- and another man's efforts to bring him down -- is brought to the screen again (there have been at least 18 previous screen adaptations) in this epic-scale television production with a distinguished international cast. Jean Valjean (Gerard Depardieu) is a man forced by circumstance into a life of crime when he steals bread to ease his hunger, ending up behind bars for 19 years. Upon his release, the destitute Valjean attempts to rob the home of a bishop, but the bishop takes pity on him, and Valjean turns over a new leaf, becoming an honest and upright businessman and civic leader. But Javert (John Malkovich), a former guard at the prison where Valjean served time, is now the Chief of Police, and he's determined not to let Valjean live down his criminal past. Les Miserables also features Jeanne Moreau, Virginie Ledoyen, Christian Clavier, and Asia Argento; the miniseries was produced in two versions, a French-language version for European television that ran eight hours, and a four-hour English-language adaptation that was broadcast in a pair of two-hour installments on January 7 and 8, 2001, on the Fox Family Channel. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gérard Depardieu, John Malkovich, (more)
Gérard Depardieu stars as the great French author Honoré de Balzac in this historical biography produced for French television. Balzac's childhood is marked by a difficult relationship with his mother, Charlotte-Laure (Jeanne Moreau), whose strident criticism and inability to show affection are not abated when he reaches adulthood. Balzac begins to gain the confidence he needs through his relationship with a wealthy society matron, Madame de Berney (Virna Lisi), but in time he abandons her when he falls in love with Countess Eva Hanska (Fanny Ardent), who already has a husband. When Madame de Berney dies, Balzac is filled with remorse, and his sorrow inspires him to create some of his greatest work; his writing finally gains the acceptance of the mass audience, and Balzac achieves the fame and wealth he's always wanted. However, Balzac's spending soon begins to outstrip his income, and his new celebrity begins to wane when critics respond coolly to his work. Balzac received its American premiere on the Bravo cable television network. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gérard Depardieu, Jeanne Moreau, (more)
Gerard Depardieu stars in this made-for-TV adaptation of the classic adventure story by Alexandre Dumas. Edmond (Depardieu) has been held in a French prison for nearly 20 years for daring to love Mercedes (Naike Rivelli), a woman who has also been wooed by a man in power, Mondego (Jean Rochefort). When Abbe (Georges Moustaki), a close friend and fellow prison inmate, is about to die, he tells Edmond of a fortune that he has hidden on the outside. Edmond escapes, finds the money, and assumes the identity of the Count of Monte Cristo. "The Count" uses his new wealth as part of a plan to bring down the men who helped keep him behind bars for so long -- Mondego, his henchman Danglars (Michel Aumont), and Count Morcef (Stanislas Merhar). Produced for French television by a consortium of French, German, and Italian production houses, this version of The Count of Monte Cristo received its American premier on the Bravo cable network. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gérard Depardieu, Ornella Muti, (more)
- 1992
- PG
Bo Derek stars as B.J. Cassidy, a Texas millionaire out to take over a French chocolate production company who instead finds romance with the factory's owner (Robert Hays). ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bo Derek, Robert Hays, (more)
- 1990
The Italians have bocce ball, and the French have a similar game, boules. This is played (generally in the southern part of the country) with steel balls on a packed-earth court. While these games have a bucolic, countrified and even genteel air about them, competition and betting are fierce. In this sports/crime thriller, a young man whose father was killed for violating the unspoken roles of the game in professional competition trains with his grandfather to become a champion boules player just like his father. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Serge Reggiani, François Négret, (more)
- 1990
A musician is in danger of being accused of murder after he consents to the seduction of a mobster's estranged wife. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1978
This award-winning French documentary profiles world-class feminist existentialist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir (1908-1986), author of The Ethics of Ambiguity (1948), The Second Sex (1949), and the acclaimed novel The Mandarins (1954). Directed by Josée Dayan and Malka Robowska, the program features archival footage, as well as conversations with Beauvoir reflecting on various topics, including her philosophical positions, her love affair with philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, and her friendship with philosopher Albert Camus. Simone de Beauvoir won the Red Ribbon at the American Film and Video Festival. The program is in French with English subtitles. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
