SCREENING EXCLUSIVELY AT THE IFI

It’s 1943, and in a small town where occupied France borders Franco’s Spain, a sculptor in his 80s whiles away his years, thoroughly disillusioned with art and humanity. Marc Cros (Jean Rochefort) hasn’t made anything for a while, but when his wife Léa (Claudia Cardinale) offers refuge to Mercè (Aida Folch), a woman desperate to escape Franco’s regime, Marc is drawn back into his studio by Mercè’s youth and beauty. As he sets about creating what could well be his final work, and she becomes less self-conscious in her role as a muse, Marc and Mercè talk about life and the changing world from their different perspectives.

Exquisitely presented in black and white, this gracefully crafted contemplation on life, death and art won Fernando Trueba (Belle Epoque, Chico and Rita) the Best Director award at San Sebastian Film Festival last year. (Notes by Michael Hayden.)

IFI has changed from a monthly schedule to a weekly schedule. Screening times of New Releases and IFI Classics will now be announced on a weekly basis. Read our news item here.