Ricky

Colour, 35 mm
France, Italy, 2009, 90 min
Section: Horizons

Synopsis

The idea for controversial French director François Ozon’s latest film came from a short story by English writer Rose Tremain that centers on two ordinary people. One day, Katie, who works at a factory and takes care of her little girl, meets Paco. They fall in love, and soon Katie gives birth to Ricky, a child who quickly proves to be rather exceptional. François Ozon had this to say about his film: "What touched me about the story wasn’t so much the fantasy element as the way it talks about family, our place in it, and how a new member – a new partner or a new child – can shake up the balance.” The movie, whose initial footage is reminiscent of the directorial style of the Dardenne brothers, split Berlin audiences into two camps. It is without question an original film which allows viewers their own interpretation and approach.

About the director

François Ozon (b. 1967) graduated from the Sorbonne before going on to Paris’s FEMIS film school in 1990-93. After shooting several shorts, his feature debut Sitcom (1998) immediately caused a stir. His subsequent features have reaped accolades at many film festivals, including Karlovy Vary. Filmography: Criminal Lovers (Les amants criminels, 1999), Water Drops on Burning Rocks (Gouttes d’eau sur pierres brûlantes, 2000), Under the Sand (Sous le sable, 2001), 8 Women (8 femmes, 2002), Swimming Pool (2003), 5x2 (2004), Time to Leave (Le temps qui reste, 2005), Angel (2007), and Ricky (2009).