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phidi2002
Reviews
5x2 (2004)
Artifice
Warning : spoilers ahead
In 5x2, OZON's daring narrative approach consists of 5 isolated moments of a failed romance, played backward. The structure is largely artificial it seems, leaving too many blanks for viewers to fill in, and I didn't manage to enter the whole story.
In addition to experimental choices, I found that Marion and Gilles were, except for a few scenes, uninteresting or even despicable characters (especially Gilles, the unconsiderate, sex-driven husband).
On the other hand, OZON's accurate direction, combined with soft lighting and scarcity of sound, create a unique atmosphere, like in his previous movies.
Les liens du sang (2003)
Love between siblings
WARNING : SPOILERS AHEAD
This short film says, without prejudice, a love story between two teenage siblings. The passion of Mathieu for her sister Carine is shown as an innocent, natural prospect (the opening scene is a mild recreation of Eden, then love grows in daily family life). The performance of neophyte actor Martin PAUTARD as Mathieu is really convincing.
However short it is, the story turns remarkably powerful. That is because Carine's resistance to her brother actually expresses teen rejection of her parents' authority and family pressure as a whole.
The scenes between Carine and Mathieu are impressive, whether they come to confrontation or intimacy. They gradually lead the siblings to a sort of possessive and fatal love.
Mon père est ingénieur (2004)
Le rouge et le rouge
WARNING : SPOILERS AHEAD
By his evocation of Nativity, Robert GUEDIGUIAN brings wonder to his portrait of declining communist activists in Marseilles, South of France. Born of a communist father and a Christian mother, Natasha is fascinating because of paradoxical hopes that carry her fighting for social justice (Ariane ASCARIDE does an amazing job featuring her contradictions and also her simplicity at heart).
Her recent dumb condition keeps intriguing, since flashbacks show her vivid past as a pediatrician and as an activist in the working class of Marseilles. Whatever the cause turns out to be, her silence is a reflection of political and religious disbelief among them.