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Witnesses (The)

Country: France, Language: French, 112 mins

Original Title

Les Témoins
  • Director: André Téchiné
  • Writer: André Téchiné; Laurent Guyot
  • Producer: Saïd Ben Saïd

CGiii Comment

Stark, realistic, unsentimental and hard-hitting...in a remarkably gentle way.

Téchiné maintains a realistic sentimentality without ever taking it to far-fetched lengths of snivelling.

The core relationship between boy and man is marred by personal histories and peer prejudice but a humanity shines through albeit hard fought.

Profoundly moving and deeply affecting - making Téchiné a director of poised composure and an extremely important CGiii figure.


Trailer...

The(ir) Blurb...

June 1984 to June 1985, from happy days to war to summer's return. A middle-aged doctor in Paris, Adrien, meets Manu, a young gay man from the provinces who lives with his sister, an opera singer. Adrien likes Manu, loves him even, in a Platonic relationship. Sarah, a writer, and Mehdi, a vice-squad cop, have an infant. Sarah discovers she has no taste for parenthood. Adrien bring Manu to Sarah's country cabin where Mehdi saves Manu from drowning. Back in Paris, an affair begins as a plague descends on Parisian gays. There are tests, illness, anger, relief, separations, and death. A year later, these friends meet again at the summer place. They are witnesses to how happiness has changed.

Cast & Characters

Michel Blanc as Adrien;
Emmanuelle Béart as Sarah;
Sami Bouajila as Mehdi;
Julie Depardieu as Julie;
Johan Libéreau as Manu;
Constance Dollé as Sandra;
Lorenzo Balducci as Steve;
Alain Cauchi as Sheriff;
David Barbas as Medhi's colleague;
Xavier Beauvois as L'éditeur;
Raphaëline Goupilleau as La mère de Julie et Manu;
Jacques Nolot as Le patron de l'hôtel;
Maïa Simon as La mère de Sarah;
Bertrand Soulier as Doctor #1;
Michèle Moretti