In the Shadow of Women
France, 73 min
Romantic Drama
2:35 Dolby
The new film by the great Philippe Garrel (previously seen at the NYFF with Regular Lovers in 2005 and Jealousy in 2013) is a close look at infidelity—not merely the fact of it, but the particular, divergent ways in which it’s experienced and understood by men and women. Stanislas Merhar and Clotilde Courau are Pierre and Manon, a married couple working in fragile harmony on Pierre’s documentary film projects, the latest of which is a portrait of a resistance fighter (Jean Pommier). When Pierre takes a lover (Lena Paugam), he feels entitled to do so, and he treats both wife and mistress with disengagement bordering on disdain; when Manon catches Pierre in the act, her immediate response is to find common ground with her husband. Garrel is an artist of intimacies and emotional ecologies, and with In the Shadow of Women he has added narrative intricacy and intrigue to his toolbox. The result is an exquisite jewel of a film.
Short
The exquisite new film by the great Philippe Garrel is a close look at infidelity—not merely the fact of it, but the particular, divergent ways in which it’s experienced and understood by men and women.
Directed by
Philippe Garrel
CAST
Stanislas Merhar, Clotilde Courau, Lena Paugam
Director Philippe Garrel Story & Screenplay Philippe Garrel Caroline Deruas Jean-Claude Carrière
Producer Said Ben Said – SBS Productions Original Music Jean-Louis Aubert
REACTIONS
“Few filmmakers explore the mysteries of coupledom as touchingly as post–Nouvelle Vague maestro Philippe Garrel”. – Melissa Anderson, Village Voice – Village Choice
“In the high-contrast, black-and-white, wide-screen images, Garrel captures creative and erotic passions with a spontaneous classicism and a monumental poise.” – Richard Brody, The New Yorker – Critic’s Pick
“Filmed in widescreen black-and-white that makes Paris look both decrepit and irresistible, this is a swift tale of what men and women want versus what they settle for.” – Farran Smith Neeme, New York Post
“The moody, black-and-white cinematography, literary voice-over and intense exploration of messy relationships and broken hearts effortlessly evokes the world of Eric Rohmer and Francois Truffaut.” – Allan Hunter, Screen International
“A tightly focused romantic drama that exudes the narrative terseness of a good short story and the lucid craftsmanship of a filmmaker in full command of the medium.” – Scott Foundas, Variety
“Initially somewhat wispy-feeling, this 72-minute feature transforms in its final reel from an ironic divertissement to a work of considerable feeling and intensity.” – Boyd van Hoeij, The Hollywood Reporter
AWARDS AND FESTIVALS
