Les Destinées
Release Date:
April 5, 2002
Pusshed back from March 2002
Limited release
This film is a period romance set in the early part of the 20th century in France. It also includes commentary about changing values of the time and economic globalism.
The film follows Jean (Charles Berling), a Protestant minister whose marriage is already on the verge of falling apart when he meets Pauline (Emmanuelle Béart), the niece of a parishioner. So his community doesn't criticize him when he sets up a home with Pauline in Switzerland. His new life goes smooth for a while, until his uncle dies and he must take over the family's porcelain empire. But this doesn't work out well for Jean, either. There are worker strikes, family conflicts, and World War I to stand in the way of his happiness. We follow Jean for 30 years of his life in this three-hour film. We see the despair, misery, and unhappiness that are ever-present in his life.
This French film (originally titled Les Destinées Sentimentales) had its world premiere at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival. It has been nominated for awards in several categories, including best director, best actor, best actress, and best cinematography. However, reviews of this film have not been all that favorable. (Marty Doskins/BOP)
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