Festivals CANNES
Cannes/1 «La Tête haute», a judge
and a filmmaker on the side of life
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Screened at the opening of Cannes Film Festival, on Wednesday May 13th, the same day when it was released in theatres, the new film by Emmanuelle Bercot is a pleasant surprise for many reasons. Indeed, it contrasts sharply with the usual Festival opening film, a paparazzi-attraction where the interest in the glamour of posters would be much too often favoured over films themselves (there have been exceptions, but not many). Certainly, the presence of Catherine Deneuve provides some radiance at the barometer of the star-system, |
but this is surely a film that is wanted and accomplished with motifs other than the seduction of people. Above all, it is simply a success of the cinema – even if a little flat. Let's admit having fed the worst concerns when Tête haute was announced, less because of Emmanuelle Bercot's previous movies than because of her participation as co-scriptwriter and actress in tacky Polisse by Maïwenn. If, after the brigade of juveniles this story about a judge for children was as complacent, the worst was to fear. It doesn't take long to realise, however, that they are by no means comparable, with La Tête haute being the opposite of the previous. After the introductory sequence, set 10 years before the main story, illustrating how long-lasting the issues that inhabit it are, the film will no longer leave the main protagonist, Malony played, with great presence, energy and remarkable complexity by young Rod Paradot. He had no difficulties keeping up with Deneuve, who was remarkable in the role of a judge quickly inventing the least bad answer to a series of catastrophic situations, without ever betraying the demands of her job title. Jean Michel Frodon |
