THE CULTURIST FILM CLUB #2: Illusions Perdues / Lost Illusions
The Culturist Film Club returns to Alliance Francaise in Dubai on November 24 with Xavier Giannoli’s Illusions Perdues (Lost Illusions), winner of seven César Awards including Best Film, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, Best Male Newcomer, Best Cinematography and Best Set Design.
Set in the 19th century, but very much relevant to the current state of media - click baits, PR disguised as journalism/criticism, fake news and misleading headlines. Hope you will join me to watch and discuss it.
Date and time: Thursday, November 24 at 7.30pm.
Ticket: AED 35 (Free for members). Book online.
Location: Alliance Francaise, Dubai (location map)
ILLUSIONS PERDUES / LOST ILLUSIONS
Director: Xavier Giannoli
2021, 144 min, 16+, France, French with English subtitles
Lucien de Rubempré (Benjamin Voisin) is an ambitious and unknown aspiring poet in 19th century France. He leaves his provincial town, arriving in Paris on the arm of his admirer, Louise de Bargeton (Cécile de France). Outmatched in elite circles, Lucien’s naive etiquette prompts Louise to retreat back to her husband, leaving the young poet to forge a new path.
He makes a new friend in another young writer, Etienne Lousteau (Vincent Lacoste), who introduces him to the business of journalism where a salon of wordsmiths and wunderkinds make or break the reputations of actors and artists with insouciant impunity.
Lucien agrees to write rave reviews for bribes, achieving material success at the expense of his conscience and soon discovers that the written word can be an instrument of both beauty and deceit.
Xavier Giannoli’s sumptuous adaptation of Honoré de Balzac’s epic novel, Lost Illusions is a ravishing vision of the birth of modern media.
Illusions Perdues premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2021.
”…the film turns out to be a fast-paced, surprisingly dishy melodrama with at least one spiritual foot in the present. Giannoli knows exactly which buttons to push and for how long. He takes what could have been a fussy adaptation of a dusty tome and turns it into something hugely entertaining.” — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture
About The Culturist Film Club
Held bi-monthly at Alliance Francaise Dubai, programmed by Hind Mezaina, artist, film curator, writer and founder of theculturist.com
Previous screenings:
https://www.theculturist.com/home/the-culturist-film-club-rien-foutre-/-zero-fcks-given