Archive of films 35 Shots of Rum / 35 rhums

France / Germany
2008, 100 min

Section: Horizons
Year: 2009

An affecting psychological study of a father-daughter relationship, whose harmonious life together, under the influence of the inexorable passage of time, betrays the need for fundamental changes. The work of one of the most outstanding personalities of French film today, director Claire Denis’ movie won accolades at the Venice IFF.

Synopsis

35 shots of rum are reserved for special, unique moments in life, and the heroes in this film by Claire Denis are moving slowly, affectionately and perhaps disconsolately towards one such moment. Aging RER train conductor Lionel has devoted his whole life to the care of his only daughter, Joséphine, and she has repaid him in kind. Their harmonic relationship is founded on mutual trust and respect and, even though it seems they don’t need anyone else, their small private world also includes two inhabitants of their suburban Paris apartment block – Lionel’s former girlfriend, the taxi-driver Gabrielle, and the solitary wanderer Noé, who lives only with what his parents left him – outdated furniture and an old cat. However, this unspoken sense of solidarity, mutual care and security begins to falter when one of Lionel’s colleagues goes into retirement, and Lionel is confronted with the inexorable passage of time and the need for change, a fact which he had refused to accept until now. The time has come for Jo to start living – and Lionel as well... The director presents her study of approaching adulthood, aging, hopes and loss chiefly through feelings, looks and gestures.

About the director

Claire Denis (b. 1948, Paris) studied at IDHEC in Paris (1973) and worked as an assistant director on the films of Jacques Rivette, Costa-Gavras, Wim Wenders and Jim Jarmusch. She debuted in 1988 with the film Chocolat, a semi-autobiographical reflection on African colonialism, which was accepted for the main competition at the Cannes IFF. In 1996 she won the Locarno IFF with the film Nénette et Boni, which was also screened in Karlovy Vary, as was her previous work I Can’t Sleep (J’ai pas sommeil, 1994). Her next film Good Work (Beau travail, 1999) was awarded at the festivals in Berlin and Rotterdam. To date, Czech cinemas have only screened her erotic horror Trouble Every Day (2001) and the collection of short films Ten Minutes Older: The Cello (2002), for which she created the segment Vers Nancy.

Contacts

Elle Driver
44, Rue Blanche, 750 09, Paris
France
Tel: +33 156 434 870
Fax: +33 145 614 608
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.elledriver.fr

Artcam Films
Rašínovo nábřeží 6, 128 00, Praha 2
Czech Republic
Tel: +420 221 411 619
Fax: +420 221 411 699
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.artcam.cz

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About the film

Color, 35 mm

Section:	Horizons

Director:	Claire Denis
Screenplay:	Claire Denis, Jean-Pol Fargeau
Dir. of Photography:	Agnès Godard
Music:	Tindersticks
Editor:	Guy Lecorne
Producer:	Bruno Pesery
Production:	Soudaine Compagnie
Cast:	Alex Descas, Mati Diop, Nicole Dogué, Grégoire Colin, Julieth Mars-Toussaint, Adèle Ado, Jean-Christophe Folly, Ingrid Caven
Contact:	Elle Driver, Artcam Films
Distributor:	Artcam Films

www:	www.35rhums-lefilm.com

Guests

Přemysl Martinek

Film Institution Rep., Producer

Eva Diederix

Buyer, Sales Agent

Artemio Benki

Distributor, Film Director, Producer