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One of the most respected and loved filmmakers working in France today, Robert Guédiguian has built a career weaving achingly beautiful narratives in his beloved home town of Marseille. Utilising many of the same ensemble of actors from previous films - including his wife Ariane Ascaride and Jean-Pierre Darroussin from À la place du coeur (MlFF 1999) - Guédiguian's latest was in Official Competition at Cannes this year.
On our first encounter with Marie-Jo (Ascaride), she sits by the water contemplating the serrated blade of a pocket knife. Her love is divided between long-time husband Daniel (Darroussin) and love-struck Marco, who makes her feel like an infatuated young woman again. When Marie-Jo leaves to live with Marco for a while, Daniel knows these two loves are impossible to live.
"Ascaride's understated complex performance along with those of her co-stars and Guédiguian's restrained direction keeps it all very real ... Guédiguian etches an eloquent, often moving portrait of romantic yearning and human frailty." - Hollywood Reporter
Born in Marseille in 1935, Robert Guédiguian studied sociology at a Paris university where he first discovered world cinema. Following his debut in 1980 with Fernand, he has made numerous features including Marius et Jeannette (1997), À la place du coeur (MIFF 1999) and La Ville est tranquille (2000).