We were excited after the opening screening of the Épinal cinema festival, “A Golden Girl” by Jean-Luc Gaget, where Pauline Clément and actor Arthur Dupont shine, who came to Épinal for the premiere with his director to present this bright second film. A good omen in a strong time dedicated to the 7th art in the making, squeezed this year between two rounds of municipal elections and multiple events.
The rest of the festival tends to prove that the fairies of the dark rooms have continued to sprinkle their magic with other nice surprises. And this, far from commercial American blockbusters, in a selection that precisely leaves room for offbeat films and singular films (thank you, festival!).
In this spirit of unexpected discovery, the charm worked with “Elise Under Control”, by and with Marie Raymond, present to defend her film on Thursday. Firstly because it is a first film and it is not so easy to break through in this industry.
A “dramedy” [combination of drama and comedy]
Secondly, because the subject, control and toxic relationships, are topical. And finally, because this serious subject is treated in a unique way by its young director. Marie Raymond shines as a woman “tormented” by a toxic partner. This theater actress, trained at the “Cours Florent” and the National Theater of Strasbourg (Molière for female revelation in her role in “Yvonne, Princess of Burgundy”), who has worked for the Comédie-Française, succeeds in making a unique film, “a dramedy” according to her words, which combines a serious subject and comedy in a sometimes wacky spirit. The only downside is the role of the toxic partner, played by José Garcia, a bit too caricatural.
In a different style, which fits Image’Est’s objective of valuing individual filmed archives, don’t miss “Life After Siham”, by director Namir Abdel-Messeeh. This gem, halfway between sentimental film, documentary, and family film, traces the origins of this director born in Egypt and arrived in France at a very young age. He has reconstructed, in the form of an investigation, the romantic story of his parents, crossing intimate stories and great Egyptian films in a beautiful spirit of funny and touching transmission. A second film full of love, very touching.
Lastly, and because you can’t see everything, a final not-to-miss tip: “Allah Is Not Obliged”, a brilliant animated first film by Lebanese director Zaven Najjar, inspired by the novel of the same name by Ahmadou Kourouma (Renaudot Prize and Goncourt des Lycéens 2000). It sheds light, in a beautiful and very colorful graphic style, on the harsh reality of child soldiers in Guinea.
While the final assessment is not yet drawn, we can already affirm without hesitation that Épinal makes its cinema plays its role well as a talent scout and catalyst for discoveries. Precious in a gloomy film context.
The festival continues this Sunday with a Buster Keaton cine-concert (5 pm) and a closing screening with director Laurent Slama (6:45 pm) of the film “A Second Life”, around the Olympic Games ceremony (6:45 pm).
