François Ozon’s ‘When Fall Is Coming’ Locks Major Global Sales, as the Director Talks Guilt and Aging Ahead of San Sebastian Bow (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned film critic with a penchant for European cinema, I find myself constantly on the lookout for directors who can weave intricate narratives that challenge preconceived notions and defy stereotypes. François Ozon, a name synonymous with such storytelling, has once again captured my attention with his latest offering, “When Fall Is Coming.

In a series of significant agreements, the leading French film distribution and sales company, Playtime, has successfully closed deals for numerous territories featuring François Ozon’s “When Fall Is Coming,” which will have its premiere in the Main Competition at San Sebastian Film Festival.

The distribution has been extended to significant regions including Italy (Bim Distribution), the CIS (A-One Russia), Spain (Caramel + La Zona), and Axia in Canada.

Playtime has made additional agreements with Vertigo Media in Hungary, September Films in the Benelux region, Panda in Austria, Aurora in Poland, Filmcoopi in Switzerland, A-One Baltics, Outsider Film in Portugal, Filmtrade in Greece, Beta Films in Bulgaria, and Arthouse Traffic in Ukraine. In simpler terms, Playtime has reached more partnerships with various media companies across Hungary, the Benelux region, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, the Baltics, Portugal, Greece, Bulgaria, and Ukraine.

The pre-sales come on a film whose complex story is seemingly told effortlessly.

Maybe it’s the instance where two old friends, Michelle and Marie-Claude, exit the woods carrying wild mushrooms and share a hearty laugh as Marie-Claude jokes with Michelle. Maybe it’s when we observe Michelle examining one of the mushrooms closely before placing it in the bowl with the others. Perhaps Michelle’s peaceful countryside life, often associated with old age, is not as simple and tranquil as it may appear stereotypically.

It would be easy to pick any number of moments from the film to add questions to the mix.

Ozon weaves his captivating narrative within the comforting backdrop of home, the garden, meals shared, and walks with his grandson. In this process, he accumulates layers of ethical depth, personal background, and mystery.

In much the same way as life itself, there are things you can’t control and aspects you may not fully understand. This is a sentiment shared by François Ozon when speaking with EbMaster. He explained that many times in our lives, we make errors due to our perceived understanding of situations or reality, only to realize later that our initial interpretation was incorrect. The narrative in his film mirrors the deceptions we all engage in, as sometimes it’s more convenient to ignore certain truths and hide them away instead of facing them head-on. In his view, it seems simpler, perhaps even a means to endure life better.

For Ozon, keeping crucial scenes vague is crucial because “the viewers are intelligent; I appreciate the way the entire narrative remains open-ended and unclear. The distinction between right and wrong isn’t always apparent; it depends on your interpretation.

“Autumn Approaches” introduces Hèléne Vincent as Michelle and brings director and actress Ludivine Sagnier together once more, with Sagnier portraying Valérie, Michelle’s 40-year-old daughter, brimming with urban weariness and anger. Pierre Lottin joins the cast as Marie-Claude’s grown son, while Garlan Erlos makes his debut as Lucas, Sagnier’s young son. The celebrated Cesar winner, Josiane Balasko, known for her comic roles, takes on the character of Marie-Claude, demonstrating a unique form of resilience compared to Michelle. “Michelle is like a force of nature, eager to live and not succumb to grief. Marie-Claude, however, is grappling with guilt and feels utterly responsible.

In “When Fall Is Coming,” the untold narratives of older women take center stage, aiming to defy common stereotypes about elderly women in cinema. Director Ozon expressed his intention to eliminate this trope, stating, “I wanted to shatter this stereotype. It was crucial for me to create a film with leading actresses who are old, as they are frequently relegated to minor roles, caricatures, or mere background characters. I wanted them to be the focus of the story.

Made by Ozon’s FOZ Production in collaboration with France 2 Cinéma and Playtime, “When Autumn Approaches” adds to his extensive and remarkably diverse filmography as observed by contemporary standards.

I appreciate variety in movies. I enjoy switching things up. After completing a film, I relish the opportunity to create something dramatically different. In my cinematic endeavors, I strive to avoid repetition.

Many filmmakers often find it challenging to create films and sustain long-lasting careers. However, pragmatism has been a key factor in Ozon’s success. He explained, “I come from short films. Since we had no funds, we made movies without money. I had to understand costs.” Reminiscing about Eric Rohmer, he added that when teaching, Rohmer never delved into abstract concepts; instead, he focused solely on economics and finance. Rohmer was fixated on the cost of the most affordable carpet in Paris for ‘Les Nuits de la pleine lune’ and similar details.

As his latest work prepares for its screening at the San Sebastian Film Festival, Ozon’s continuous and productive career continues to thrive.

2024-09-22 10:17

François Ozon’s ‘When Fall Is Coming’ Locks Major Global Sales, as the Director Talks Guilt and Aging Ahead of San Sebastian Bow (EXCLUSIVE)

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