FNC 2013: Gare du Nord

Gare du Nord Official Poster

GARE DU NORD

PRODUCTION TEAM:

Director: Claire Simon
Screenwriters: Claire Simon, Shirel Amitay, Olivier Lorelle
Producer: Richard Copans
Directors of photography: Claire Simon, Richard Copans, Laurent Bourgeat
Music: Marc Ribot
Editor: Julien Lacheray
Cast: Nicole Garcia, Reda Kateb, Francois Damiens, Monia Chokri
Production companies: Les Films d’Ici, Productions Thalie
Sales Agent: Les Films d’Ici
France / Canada, 119 minutes

FNC OFFICIAL FILM SYNOPSIS :

"Thousands of people cross paths every day in Paris at the bustling, hectic Gare du Nord. It’s where Ismaël, who’s conducting surveys and completing his thesis on the train station, meets the beautiful 50-year-old Mathilde. Though she first rebuffs him, there’s still a spark and they strike up a conversation. Train stations are known for fleeting encounters, yet this chance meeting between a man and a woman develops into something more, a romance that’s intense, exquisite, but also impossible. As she gets to know Ismaël, Mathilde begins to see the Gare du Nord in a different light. The station has a true soul and teems with life—travellers, workers, merchants, cops and even the gangs that hang out there. Through this simple yet radical exploration, Claire Simon paints a subtle, vibrant portrait of a society founded on extreme mobility, high speed and a state of flux. There’s no lesson to be given here. Instead, this very human film is simply a testament to the powers of observation."

For his role in this film, the lead actor Reda Kateb has received the the Best Actor Award at the FIFF Namur film festival at Belgium. His performance in this film is remarkable, along with the performance of the lead actress Nicole Garcia. Together, they help to create a unique and compelling film that draws a spectator to discover a distinct subculture in a Paris North train station. 

The film forces the spectator to face those who find themselves creating or re-creating their reality, lives, and relationships within the train station's setting. The train station characters are mostly lost, troubled and vulnerable people, for whom it appears no better place exists, no other appropriate location is available within the society, where they can either simply spend their days, or within where they could acquire at least some sense of belonging, meaning and even love. 

Regardless of the age difference between the two leading characters, they are drawn to each as if to combat their personal troubles and loneliness, and the lack of real meaning in their everyday lives. However, they succeed to capture that elusive meaning only momentarily...

Is this film a sociological study or a sentimental story with at times blurred contours of reality? Varying aspects of the visual narrative weave through each other to create a strong and at times a touching, emotional and artistic impact.

The film will be shown:

Sunday, October 13 at 18:30. at Cinéma Imperial

Monday, October 14 at 17:00. at Cinéma Excentris

Film Trailer: GARE DU NORD

For more information on all the films shown during the festival, visit the festival’s website.