Intense Intimacy: Programme 2010

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Intense Intimacy was a retrospective timed to mark the national release of Claire Denis film
White Material which previewed at Watershed on Fri 25 June 2010, a film which takes her back to the setting of her 1988 debut Chocolat.

Chocolat 15

Dir: Claire Denis France/Germany/Cameroon 1988 1hr 45mins Subtitled

Denis’ assured debut influenced by her own childhood in Colonial Africa sets up many of the themes (exclusion, betrayal and identity) she would come to explore in her later work. When a plane full of strangers downs near the home of a white family in Cameroon their lives are changed forever in a quietly devastating explosion of desire, resentment and racism.

* Print courtesy of MK2

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Man No Run 15

Dir: Claire Denis France 1989 1hr 30mins Subtitled

While filming Chocolat Denis met Les Têtes Brulées, a group of Cameroonian musicians who were superstars in their home country. When they embarked on their first ever tour of France in 1987 Denis was there to document their funny, poignant encounters and reactions to French culture. Screening with 10 minute short Vers Nancy, which depicts a train conversation between an immigrant French woman and philosopher Jean-Luc Nancy on the theme of intrusion.

* Print courtesy of Walker Art Centre and Blue Dolphin

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J’ai pas sommeil (I Can’t Sleep) 18

Dir: Claire Denis France 1994 1hr 50mins Subtitled

Based on a famous French murder case that saw 20 elderly women murdered by a pair of nocturnal killers, I Can’t Sleep is a haunting, unnerving depiction of marginalisation and estrangement centred around three immigrants whose lives in Paris briefly intersect. The murders depicted in the film are not sensationalised but subtle and almost ordinary – evil in Denis’ world is part of our mundane lives – something that makes their violent behaviour all the more terrifying.

* Print courtesy of Pyramide International.

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Nénette et Boni 18

Dir: Claire Denis France 1996 1hr 43mins Subtitled

A warm, delicate film about two siblings: Boni (Gregoire Colin), a pizza cook who does little more than cook and have obscene fantasies about the baker’s wife, and Nénette (Alice Houri), his pregnant 15-year-old sister who arrives on his doorstep having run away from boarding school. Boni throws himself into the role of carer, finding reserves of tenderness that were previously untapped. An emotionally honest and surprisingly sensual examination of relationships, intimacy and adolescence.

* Print courtesy of Pyramide International

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Beau Travail (Good Work) 15

Dir: Claire Denis 1999 France 1hr 33mins Subtitled

Sparse dialogue, rugged landscapes, masculine spectacles and disco dancing - this is a loose adaptation of Herman Melville’s Billy Budd updated to take place in a French Foreign Legion outpost in East Africa. Sergeant Galoup (Denis Lavant) runs his group of men like a well-oiled machine until promising new recruit Sentain (Grégoire Colin) arrives on the scene, causing Galoup to erupt in a Dionysian frenzy of wrath and envy.

* Print courtesy of Artificial Eye

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Trouble Every Day 18

Dir: Claire Denis France/Germany/Japan ‘01 1hr 41mins Subtitled

A controversial film that was wildly misunderstood upon its initial release, Trouble Every Day is Denis’ engrossing (and troubling) foray into erotic horror centred around two people who have been struck by a virus that makes their sexual lust transform into cannibalism. A creepy tale of suppressed desire starring Vincent Gallo and Beatrice Dalle as two people on a path to bloody self-destruction.

* Print courtesy of Palisades Tartan Films

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Friday Night (Vendredi Soir) 15

Dir: Claire Denis France 1hr 26mins ‘02 Subtitled

It’s Friday night in Paris and Laure (Valerie Lemercier) has finished packing up her belongings in preparation for moving in with her boyfriend. When she gets stuck in traffic and spontaneously picks up an alluring stranger, Jean (Vincent Lindon), the mutually attracted pair begin a night of unrestrained sensuality. A dreamlike, deeply romantic film that stands as one of Denis’ warmest, most beguiling pieces of work.

* Print courtesy of Palisades Tartan Films

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L’Intrus (The Intruder) 15

Dir: Claire Denis France 2hrs 7mins ‘04 Subtitled

One of Denis’ most enigmatic films, L’Intrus is a puzzle of memory and imagination that sees 68-year-old recluse Louis (Michel Subor) travel to Korea to have a black-market heart transplant. He buys a boat and sails to an island near Tahiti to find a son he abandoned years before but his personal odyssey is threatened when his body begins to reject his newly purchased heart. A haunting, poetic meditation on life, death and identity.

* Print courtesy of Palisades Tartan Films.

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Towards Mathilde CTBA

Dir: Claire Denis France ‘05 1hr 24mins Subtitled

Denis returned to documentary with this lean, intimate portrait of Mathilde Monnier, one of France’s top contemporary choreographers. Shot on both Super-8 and Super-16 film, it follows Monnier as she prepares for a new performance by discussing theories of dance between directing her ensemble and rehearsing alone. A meeting of minds between two women dedicated to their respective art forms that is a mesmerising joy to watch.

* Print courtesy of Celluloid Dreams

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35 Shots of Rum 12A

Dir: Claire Denis France/Germany ‘08 1hr 45mins Subtitled

A tender, subtle family drama about the close relationship enjoyed by Lionel (Alex Descas), a Parisian widower, and Josephine (Mati Diop), his university student daughter, and their preparations for her imminent departure from home. The wonderful ensemble cast bring great subtlety and intimacy to a magical, moving piece of cinema that is a delicate celebration of love.

* Print courtesy of New Wave Films

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