Ceci est mon corps (2001)
Directed by Rodolphe Marconi

Film Review

Ceci est mon corps is the first full length film to be directed by Rodolphe Marconi, who previously won the 1999 Cannes Jury Prize for his impressive short film Stop.  Whilst photographed with maturity and sincerity, the film's threadbare narrative and tendency to replay tired clichés prevents it from having any real impact.  Despite the combined talents of an impressive cast, too many scenes fail to convince, and the editing is unnecessarily arty in the rare moments of dramatic intensity.  Jane Birkin, in her first French film role for four years, appears to have as much difficulty with her character as her lines, but her presence gives the film the wry introspection and weight which are lacking elsewhere.  Louis Garrel - son of director Philippe Garrel and grandson of actor Maurice Garrel - shows talent in his portrayal of the lead character Antoine, but, again hampered by a weak script, he just fails to make his character believable.  The film's misleading title (which was vehemently attacked by Christian fundamentalists) and its French poster boldly imply raw eroticism and a sense of “enfant terrible”-style provocation, two things which are strikingly absent from the film.

Film Synopsis

The son of a highly successful businessman, Antoine looks set to follow in his father's footsteps after a brilliant start to his academic career.  But the young man begins to resent that his future has already been carved out for him and secretly he longs to do something different.  He gets his chance to do just this when the controversial film director Louise Vernet offers him the lead role in her next film.  Naturally, Antoine's family are appalled by his decision to give up his studies and jeopardise his future on a whim.  Undeterred, Antoine accepts the role but then soon discovers he is a replacement for another actor, Lukas, who committed suicide after a turbulent love affair with his director.  Ever since, Louise has been haunted by the memory of the man she drove to his death...