EXCLUSIVELY AT IFI

Love is thrilling, liberating and desperately inconvenient in this delicately affecting portrait of unlikely romance from director Stephane Brize (Not Here to Be Loved). Vincent Lindon is a hard-working builder, husband and father who finds himself falling, against all logic and expectation, for his young son’s temporary teacher Sandrine Kiberlain. Engineering the opportunity to do some repairs at her apartment, he spots her violin case, gets her to play . . . and suddenly a whole new world opens up inside him. For her too, his affection represents security and warmth in a life defined by short-term assignments, yet can either of them really follow through on their desires when he’s married and not free to follow them?

Daringly understated, the film creates a mood where the touch of a hand is a daring declaration of passion, all beautifully achieved by the leads (in real-life actually a separated couple!). A key role for Chartres railway station suggests entirely warranted comparisons with Brief Encounter. (Notes by Trevor Johnston). FRENCH FILM CLUB
French Film Club screening on September 27th, 20.50. Special discounted tickets for IFI and Alliance Française members.