Colours of Time

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Renowned French director Cedric Klapisch, best known for his iconic films like “The Spanish Apartment” and “L’Auberge Espagnole,” is set to delve into the lives of young people once more with his upcoming project titled “Colours of Time.” However, this time, he will transport us back to 19th-century Paris.

The 15.6 million euro ($16 million) film is being promoted worldwide by Studiocanal, who recently showed a trailer to distributors at the Unifrance’s “Rendez-Vous With French Cinema” event.

The movie combines a coming-of-age storyline with a family-focused plot, featuring emerging talents like Suzanne Lindon, Abraham Wapler, Zinedine Soualem, Paul Kircher, and Vassili Schneider, along with experienced actors such as Sara Giraudeau, Cécile de France, Olivier Gourmet, and Vincent Macaigne.

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This movie blends the narrative of adolescent growth and domestic strife, starring a group of rising stars like Suzanne Lindon, Abraham Wapler, Zinedine Soualem, Paul Kircher, and Vassili Schneider, as well as established actors such as Sara Giraudeau, Cécile de France, Olivier Gourmet, and Vincent Macaigne.

As a movie enthusiast, I find myself drawn to the intriguing narrative of “Colours of Time.” This film follows four cousins, each living distinct lives, who unexpectedly uncover a shared family secret. You see, in 1895, our ancestor Adèle, at the age of 21, ventures away from her small town to find her mother in the vibrant city of Paris. In this metropolis on the brink of modernity, she encounters a city teeming with avant-garde creativity, as photography flourished and Impressionist painting was born. As we, her descendants, follow in her footsteps, we peel back layers of Adèle’s enigmatic past. The screenplay for this captivating tale was written by the talented duo Klapisch and Santiago Amigorena, who have previously worked together on films like “Peril Jeune,” “Ce qui nous lie,” “Deux moi” and “En corps.

During an interview with EbMaster at the Unifrance Rendez-Vous, Klapisch stated that “Colours of Time” is one of his most challenging films, not just in terms of its elaborate production but also due to the intricate nature of its storyline which interweaves two distinct time periods: 1895 and 2024.

He mentioned that his main focus is on tracing the journey of a young woman from 1895, comparing her experiences and concerns with those of her contemporary descendants.

Previously, filmmaker Klapisch followed the life journey of a fictional male character named Xavier, portrayed by Romain Duris, at the ages of 25, 30, and 40, in the films “The Spanish Apartment,” “Russian Dolls,” and “Chinese Puzzle.” These three movies form a trilogy.

Klapisch made a series of three movies about a character named Xavier, played by Romain Duris. The movies show Xavier at different ages in his life (25, 30, and 40) – “The Spanish Apartment,” “Russian Dolls,” and “Chinese Puzzle.” These three films tell a connected story.

In “Colours of Time,” the director adopts a female viewpoint, with Lindon portraying Adèle. Notably, Lindon gained recognition for her triple role in “Spring Blossom” – writing, directing, and acting in this highly praised film that was featured in the Official Selection of the Cannes Film Festival in 2020.

The story of Adele, aged 24, serves as a means for Klapisch to emphasize the impact of societal and cultural transformations on women’s lives, demonstrating their increasing autonomy, rights, and access to opportunities.

In that time period, women were often confined by limited possibilities, economic struggles, and societal expectations, a state Klapisch refers to as ‘male rule.’ Despite the appearance of chivalry towards women from earlier times, the truth was starkly contrasting. The film, nevertheless, suggests that the tender emotions of flirting and falling in love have stayed consistent.

In my appreciation, I’d like to emphasize that some remarkable female artists managed to make their mark during that era, particularly Berthe Morisot and Suzanne Valadon. These women dared to defy societal expectations and forged a path in an art world predominantly ruled by men. As bourgeois women, they faced significant challenges carving out a space for themselves amidst a very masculine environment. It was indeed a complex existence for them.

Essentially, the movie explores how the past influences the present by leaping through time. The deserted house that brings the family together acts as a “concrete and symbolic link between the two time frames.” Klapisch describes his film as examining “family ties and artistic upheaval, specifically focusing on impressionism and photography’s influence, as well as societal transformation.” Notably, the diverse cast in “Colours of Time” reflects the movie’s broad time span.

Klapisch’s film “Colors of Time” merges his deep affection for Paris, showcased in movies like “Paris,” with his intrigue about the late 19th century. He skillfully re-creates that era by employing cutting-edge visual effects and artificial intelligence.

During this era, we saw not just technological and scientific upheaval, with numerous inventions taking place, but also an artistic revolution. Many groundbreaking innovations occurred that significantly changed society and everyday life,” stated Klapisch. He highlighted the widespread adoption of photography towards the end of the 19th century as a key event depicted in the film, marking a significant turning point.

Klapisch noted that photography significantly changed the landscape of art by offering an alternative means to represent reality beyond painting. This transformation opened up new creative paths, such as the impressionist movement, and it’s worth mentioning that a renowned impressionist artist is also featured in this movie.

The collaboration between Klapisch and his frequent partner Bruno Levy under their production house Ce Qui Me Meut, titled ‘Colours of Time’, is being revived. StudioCanal is joining forces for its production within France and will also distribute the film domestically. Additionally, they are managing international sales.

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2025-01-17 20:20