It’s the summer of 1984 and the city of
Paris is flush with exciting possibilities, especially
for five people whose lives will connect
in various ways over the course of a year.
Manu has just arrived in the city and crashes
in the rundown hotel room rented by his sister
Julie (played by Julie Depardieu), much to her
dismay. She is intent on becoming an opera
singer and doggedly pursues her passion,
while Manu enthusiastically explores the
nighttime activities of the city’s parks. It’s
there he’s spotted by Adrien, a wealthy
doctor in his fifties, who is immediately
smitten and tries (unsuccessfully) to pick
him up. The two nevertheless form a platonic
relationship and Manu is introduced to
Sarah (the luminous Emmanuelle Béart)
and Mehdi (Sami Bouajila, gorgeous star of
THE ADVENTURES OF FELIX), a young
couple who have just welcomed their first
child. Things are fine and easy in that first
summer, with tours ofthe city and weekend
trips to the shore, but then the seasons
change. Mehdi’s job as a vice cop becomes
more demanding, and he is roused by a
sexual attraction to Manu. Sarah can’t get
her novel written, and struggles with the
realization that she’s a mother who, in fact,
hates children. When Adrien learns of an
affair between Mehdi and Manu, he enters a
jealous rage, but everything changes for this
disparate group of friends when a strange
and deadly new illness appears.
THE WITNESSES, directed by the French
master André Téchiné (WILD REEDS), is a
heartfelt and intelligent drama of shifting
loyalties, unpredictable affections, and the
battle waged against an incurable disease.
Told with a reserved visual beauty and flawless
performances, it recounts a history we
cannot forget while ultimately putting forth
a profound life-affirming message.
Copresented by Lifelong AIDS Alliance and the HIV Vaccine Trials Unit
International Centerpiece Gala
Following the Northwest premiere
of THE WITNESSES, please join
us for a gala reception at Top Pot
Doughnuts, 2125 Fifth Avenue
(at Blanchard). Enjoy decadent
doughnuts, some savory bites,
and a beverage or two.
Your ticket to the film includes
the gala reception.
0 people viewed this page
0 people added it to their calendar
