MOVIE | Cannes Palme d'Or Winner! Master Director Michael Haneke Depicts the End of Love in 'Amour'
MOVIE | Cannes Palme d'Or, Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and more wins
Amour: The End of Love, as Depicted by Master Director Michael Haneke
Amour, the film by French master Michael Haneke depicting the quiet end of love for an elderly couple, will begin its nationwide theatrical run on Saturday, March 9th, at Bunkamura Le Cinema and other theaters.
Text by YANAKA Tomomi
The Presence of Two Actors in Their 80s
Beginning with its win of the Palme d'Or, the highest honor at last year's Cannes Film Festival, Amour, a story of supreme love, has swept film festivals worldwide, including five awards at the César Awards and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Georges and Anne, an elderly couple living a comfortable life in a luxurious Parisian apartment, find their peaceful days shattered by Anne's sudden illness. The husband, respecting his wife's wishes, brings her home and cares for her devotedly. Director Michael Haneke, known for "The White Ribbon" and "The Piano Teacher," meticulously chronicles their daily lives.
The lead couple is portrayed by two actors in their 80s. Jean-Louis Trintignant, who starred in the global hit "A Man and a Woman" in 1966, plays Georges. Emmanuelle Riva, who played the heroine in Alain Resnais' "Hiroshima mon amour," set in post-war Hiroshima, delivers a masterful performance as Anne, combining her enduring beauty with a refined presence honed by age.
Furthermore, Alexandre Tharaud, renowned in Europe, appears as himself, playing the couple's devoted protégé, a pianist. He also composed the film's score.
Jean-Louis Trintignant (right) as Georges and Emmanuelle Riva as Anne
The Path They Walked, and Their Love
Georges and Anne are an elderly couple in their 80s, former piano teachers. They lived a peaceful life in a luxurious Parisian apartment. However, their daily routine is overturned when Anne falls ill. Though paralyzed, Anne wishes to return home rather than stay in a hospital. Once home, Anne becomes reclusive, not wanting to be seen in her altered state. Her condition steadily worsens, and her spirit begins to fade.
Georges, who has been with Anne for many years and loves her deeply, respects her wishes and continues to care for her at home. However, he finds himself increasingly overwhelmed by life with Anne, with whom communication has become difficult.
Everyone must face "aging" and "death." The depiction of this couple on the brink of these realities forces viewers to confront their own future. Yet, it is also a profound story that reminds us that the journey they have shared, and their love, are ultimately invincible, transcending mere decline and decay.
Amour
Nationwide release starting Saturday, March 9th, at Bunkamura Le Cinema, Ginza Theatre Cinema, Shinjuku Musashinokan, and other theaters.
Director & Screenplay | Michael Haneke
Starring | Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva, Isabelle Huppert, Alexandre Tharaud
Distribution | Longride
2012 | France, Germany, Austria | 127 minutes
http://www.ai-movie.jp/
© 2012 Les Films du Losange - X Filme Creative Pool - Wega Film - France 3 Cinema - Ard Degeto - Bayerisher Rundfunk - Westdeutscher Rundfunk