Most recently appearing in Jean-Marc Vallée’s Café de Flore (2011), in which she gave a highly regarded, rousing performance as a single mother to a child with Down Syndrome in 1960s Paris, a much younger Vanessa Paradis stars here as a precocious and troubled 17-year-old, abandoned by her parents and object of obsession for her middle-aged and married philosophy teacher, expertly played by Bruno Cremer. Winning the César Award for Most Promising Actress for the role, the film marked a turning point for Paradis, who at this stage was best known for the success of Joe le Taxi, which spent 11 weeks at number 1 in 1986. 

Without cliché or sleaze, Noce Blanche explores a deeply transgressive relationship, offering little by way of judgement despite its devastating outcome. (Notes by Alice Butler.)

This film is screening as part of Les Films du Losange: 50th Anniversary Programme (October 7th – 20th).