Screened as part of NZIFF 2022

Both Sides of the Blade 2021

Avec amour et acharnement

Directed by Claire Denis

Juliette Binoche, Vincent Lindon and Gregoire Colin form a turbulent love triangle as old flames endure in Claire Denis’ sexy and volatile relationship drama.

France In French with English subtitles
116 minutes DCP

Rent

Director

Producer

Olivier Delbosc

Screenplay

Christine Angot
,
Claire Denis. Based on the novel Un tournant de la vie by Angot

Cinematography

Eric Gautier

Editors

Emmanuelle Pencalet, Sandie Bompar, Guy Lecorne

Production designer

Arnaud De Molerón

Costume designer

Judy Shrewsbury

Music

Tindersticks

Cast

Juliette Binoche (Sara)
,
Vincent Lindon (Jean)
,
Gregoire Colin (François)
,
Bulle Ogier (Nelly)
,
Issa Perica (Marcus)
,
Mati Diop (Gabrielle)
,
Lola Creton (Lola)

Festivals

Berlin, San Francisco 2022

Awards

Best Director, Berlin International Film Festival 2022

Elsewhere

Presented in association with

Auckland Film Soc

“Claire Denis delivers an understated yet psychologically vivid romantic drama, co-written with her Let the Sunshine In collaborator Christine Angot. On her way to work one day, Sara (Juliette Binoche) spies her ex-lover François (Grégoire Colin) outside of the metro; shortly thereafter, by a seeming coincidence, François gets in touch with Jean (Vincent Lindon), his old friend – and Sara’s husband – to propose they go into business together on a new venture. François’s unexpected re-emergence in their lives, and the emotional destabilization that comes with it, propel this finely wrought and melancholic narrative, with Denis’ characteristic knack for capturing the intimate sensuality of everyday life on full display, bolstered by a typically gorgeous score from regular collaborators Tindersticks.” — Rendez-Vous with French Cinema 2022

“Denis’ smart, moody, superbly acted melodrama… begins with a rapturous vacation interlude, with the central couple draped in one another’s arms in the sea as the sweet melodic notes of Tindersticks’ score wash over them… The ecstasy of the establishing scenes makes the raw, wrenching volatility of later developments, when the past cuts through like a knife to shatter the couple’s harmony, more powerful.” — David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter