Certified Copy

Colour, 35 mm
France, Italy, 2010, 106 min
Section: Open Eyes

Synopsis

A man and a woman meet by chance in a village in southern Tuscany. The man is a British writer come to talk about his book, the woman is French and owns a small local art gallery. During trips to see magnificent landmarks, it’s logical that people assume they are a couple. And god knows why, but the woman initiates a game in which she takes on the role of his wife. After some reluctance the man joins in the game. Soon enough we don’t know where the game ends and the truth begins – or vice versa. The first film that renowned Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami has shot in Europe came about, according to lead actress Juliette Binoche, on the basis of an experience the director evocatively recounted, only to deny it immediately afterward. Kiarostami partnered Binoche, who took Best Actress for her role at this year’s Cannes IFF, with baritone William Shimell, whose beautiful voice is well-known to opera lovers but who is a greenhorn in the world of film.

About the director

Abbas Kiarostami (b. 1940, Tehran) studied painting but gradually set his sights on film. In 1969 he founded the film department of the Education Institute for Children and Youth in Kanun where until 1992 he realized the majority of his movies. He gained international recognition with Where Is My Friend’s House (1987), awarded the Bronze Leopard at Locarno. Since then his work has been oft awarded at world festivals, including main prizes at Bergamo, Chicago, and Valladolid (Among the Olive Groves, 1994, Another View screening at KVIFF 1995), Palme d’Or from Cannes (Taste of Cherry, 1997), Grand Jury Prize at Venice (The Wind Will Carry Us, 1999, Special Events screening at KVIFF 2000), and Best Actress at Cannes (Certified Copy, 2010). In 2000 he was president of the KVIFF main jury. In recent years he has also contributed segments to collective international films.