The film work of the French director Francois Ozon appeared on the screens in 2013. In the film “Young and Beautiful,” the actors tried to show the audience dramatic experiences in parallel with the elements of eroticism. This is a seventeen-year-old girl who decided to engage in prostitution for her own entertainment.
The film was first seen in May 2013 at the Cannes Film Festival, and for Russian viewers, the film premiered in August of that year.
Story line
According to the script, in the film “Young and Beautiful”, the actors participate in events throughout the year, which are conditionally divided into four parts by season.
A young lady named Isabelle studies at the Lyceum, she is 17 years old, has been living with her stepfather in a beautiful family for seven years now. Once during a trip to the sea, a girl meets a guy. After a close relationship with him, Isabelle realizes that she did not receive the expected love and tenderness.
After returning to Paris, the heroine starts a personal page on the dating website and begins to engage in intimacy with adult men for money. For her, it matters not so much the payment as the process itself and the understanding of sex life.
Initially, relatives and friends of her did not even suspect such an unusual entertainment for a smart schoolgirl. This activity becomes well known when one of Isabelle’s clients dies of a heart attack right in bed at the time of making love. Parents decide to send the girl to a course of psychotherapy. Later, having met with a persistent classmate, the heroine again comes to the conclusion that such a relationship does not bring her love. After that, Isabelle decides to meet with the wife of the deceased client.
Casting
Actors of the film "Young and Beautiful" were selected quite carefully. The role of the main character went to the young actress Marina Vakt. Her film fans are known for participating in other films, including: “My piece of the pie”, “It's like a day in the middle of the night”, “The Legend of a Man with Golden Brains”.
The girl’s mother was played by Geraldine Paya. The role of Patrick was played by Frederic Pierrot, Victor - Fantin Raw. Georges was played by Johan Leisen, Alice - Charlotte Rampling, Veronique - Natalie Richard.
The director of the films Francois Ozon was attentive to the selection of not only the performers of the main characters, but also the secondary roles. In addition to the described film, the creator of the film is known to the public thanks to such film works as “Desperate Housewife”, “New Girlfriend”, “Shelter”, “Angel”, “Summer Dress”, “Crime Lovers”, etc.
Critics' comments
- Francois Ozone decided to touch on a serious topic in his tape. However, during the film “out”, a comedy of the absurd appears, which in this case is mixed with eroticism.
- In the film “Young and Beautiful”, the actors combine the old stylistic techniques in a new combination for the public with their play. Here there are gallant games, and manipulations, and intrigues - everything that is inherent in true French literature.
- The director deliberately “removes” the social context from the topic raised, presenting to the viewer not the problem of prostitution, but the process of the heroine exploring her own sexuality and sensuality. So, in the film “Young and Beautiful”, the actors and roles are important, but more important is to convey to the audience the very idea - to look at standard things from a different angle.
- The actress, who played the main role in the film, previously worked as a model. Not surprisingly, she looks organically in bed scenes. However, Isabelle sometimes reads both cynicism towards people and lostness and vulnerability.
Viewers reviews
According to the opinions of many viewers, Ozone presented for discussion a new film in its essence, “Young and Beautiful.” Actors and roles in it are selected in such a way as to fully reflect the author’s idea.
However, further opinions regarding whether the result was good were divided. Some perceived the project as psychological, others just as a beautiful picture.
In total, there are enough positive responses, but a great many negative ones. A large number of moviegoers condemned the depraved lifestyle that the young heroine began to lead. Indeed, in an adequately thinking society, its “search for oneself" is called the ordinary word - prostitution. Moreover, she was engaged in her "hobby" for money. The sediment after viewing also remains because even family, relatives and psychotherapy could not affect the worldview of a girl who is only 17 years old.
Awards and nominations
Acting in the film "Young and Beautiful," the actors gave all their best. This is proved by the fact that two performers were nominated in the French national film award called César. Marina Vakt was a nominee in the category “Most Promising Actress”, and Geraldine Payia claimed to win in the category “Best Supporting Actress”.
But the most important achievement is the victory of director Francois Ozon at the San Sebastian Film Festival in the TVE Otra Mirada Award category.