The Wacky World Of Francois Ozon

[scottish-movie-freak]

Well, the title explains it all really!

After seeing Swimming Pool in this years EIFF (see my topic in the General Movie Forum), I've been meaning to start a topic on this director for some time. His movies range from camp musicals (8 Women, which I have seen) to bizarre fairy tales (Criminal Lovers, which I have not).

I have seen:

~Swimming Pool (8/10)
~8 Women (9/10)
~Under The Sand (8/10)

Water Drops On Burning Rocks is actually on TV tonight for all British schmoes (Channel 4, some time after 1 am) so I'll be recording that!

So, whats your opinion on this prolific French director?

[James Logan]

Haven't seen much of his stuff...I got this illness that makes me consider most French flicks as over-artsy, boring, pain in the ass, pretentious flicks. I know it's prejudice, but whaddya want. So when I see the trailers to Ozon's flicks and read the synopsises, they just bore me to death, and I don't feel drawn to them. Might see SWIMMING POOL though -- Ludivine Sagnier is gonna make it BIG, mark my words.

[pat00139]

James, if Ozon's trailers mean nothing to you, then don't bother with his flicks. They are fairly artsy and not very obvious. I love them, though.

I've only seen 3 of his movies, but I can't find anything else he's done.

Swimming Pool 8/10
8 Women 10/10
Water Drops on Burning Rocks 8/10


I love the way he handles his characters and how he works with mood. I really want to see his earlier flicks and his short films. If I can find those, I'll be very happy.

[scottish-movie-freak]

Originally posted by pat00139
8 Women 10/10

Glad to find someone who loves 8 Women as much as I do! :)

Aint it typical, I ask my Dad to record WDOBR for me and he tapes three hours worth of Channel 5 (another channel which basically shows porn and made for TV movies). *sigh* Some people just cant be trusted...

[scottish-movie-freak]

I can see Ozon is NOT appreciated here on JoBlo.com! :mad:

[FeverDog420]

I finally caught Under the Sand on Sundance last night. Glacially paced, but an intriguing portait of the denial syndrome following a loved one's death.

Does that sound pretentious? The French made me do it, I'm tellin' ya!

I've also seen 8 Women and See the Sea. Good stuff, they both are - completely different movies but with the same keen insight to women. Is Ozon becoming the French Almodovar? I wonder if he's gay.

[scottish-movie-freak]

Originally posted by FeverDog420
I finally caught Under the Sand on Sundance last night. Glacially paced, but an intriguing portait of the denial syndrome following a loved one's death.

Does that sound pretentious? The French made me do it, I'm tellin' ya!

I've also seen 8 Women and See the Sea. Good stuff, they both are - completely different movies but with the same keen insight to women. Is Ozon becoming the French Almodovar? I wonder if he's gay.

I should check out See The Sea, I'm not too sure if its had a release over here in the UK.

As for the "gay" thing, I thought he was too but I saw Swimming Pool at the Edinburgh Film Fest and he turned up with Ludivine Sagnier on his arm so I doubt it now.

[James Logan]

Originally posted by pat00139
James, if Ozon's trailers mean nothing to you, then don't bother with his flicks. They are fairly artsy and not very obvious.


That's what scares me. I don't like artsy. Artsy rubs me the wrong way. :)

[Lazy Boy]

8 Women was a funny, silly film that I enjoyed tremendously, but have forgotten about in the weeks after seeing it.

Swimming Pool was slow at times, but ultimately absorbing. However, I'm not entirely sold on the last minute twist.

I have yet to see Under the Sand, but I ordered it from Amazon.com and should be viewing it sometime soon.

[SAI]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/alequin0923/directors/francois_ozon.jpg

For my money the best, certainly the most consistent working director in the world Francois Ozon has now made 8 films, none of which I've given less than 4/5. So, because I've now seen his latest film Le Temps Qui Reste [Time To Leave] I thought I'd round up his movies for anyone whose yet to see any of his films.

Sitcom (1998)
http://www.francois-ozon.com/images/sitcom/Sitcom07.jpg
A twisted black as night comedy in which, as in a Sitcom, a new surprise awaits every time the doorbell rings.
Sitcom is a bizarre blueprint for what was to follow it.
4/5

Criminal Lovers (1998)
http://www.francois-ozon.com/images/amantscriminels/amants_douche.jpg
Does pretty much what it says on the tin with Grilfriend and Boyfriend Natacha Regnier and Jeramie Renier despatching a school classmate before being imprisoned by a psychotic woodsman whose house they shelter in thinking it's empty.
A modern twist on Little Red Riding Hood Ozon abandons the bright clean style of Sitcom for down and dirty sets and shooting all while drawing strong performances from his cast, particularly his first really memorable female lead; Natacha Regnier.
4/5

Water Drops on Burning Rocks (1999)
http://www.francois-ozon.com/images/gouttesdeau/gouttes06.jpg
Ozon's first of three teamings with Ludivine Sagnier is an adaptation of a script by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, it's also the first of his films to deal explicitly with one of his favoured themes, that of homosexuality. It is a touch stagey (but hell it's based on a play) but the formal staging gives it an interesting look. The performances, particularly Sagnier's are also terrific.
4/5

Under the Sand (2000)
http://www.offoffoff.com/film/2001/images/underthesand.jpg
The first in Ozon's planned trilogy on mourning is also the first of his films to star Charlotte Rampling and the first to use extensively his recurring motif of setting scenes on a beach (he explained at a Q and A that he likes to see the actors bodies). It's glacially paced but rewarding if you stick with it.
4/5

8 Women (2001)
http://www.francois-ozon.com/images/8femmes/8femmes07.jpg
Perhaps the quintessential Francois Ozon film, one that only he could make. 8 Women stars the premiere French actresses of three generations. It's Agatha Christie murder mystery meets huge technicolour musical. The design and camerawork is stunning, the songs are catchy and well sung by all the actresses (in their own voices) and the performances are great. It's all utterly mad and it's very originality might alienate some viewers but it was Ozon's most acessible work to date.
4/5

Swimming Pool (2003)
http://www.francois-ozon.com/images/swimmingpool/swimmingpool11.jpg
Ozon cast his two muses; Charlotte Rampling and Ludivine Sagnier in a single film, his first primarily in English.
Swimming Pool is a twisty Hitchcockian thriller which showcases a strong performance from Rampling and an excellent english language debut for Sagnier, a star in waiting for sure. It looks ravishing as well with Ozon's camera showing both actresses to their best advantage.
5/5

5 X 2 (2004)
http://www.francois-ozon.com/images/5x2/5x2_13.jpg
Ozon's finest film to date, a masterwork which traces, backwards, a failed marriage.
The film begins with post-divorce, mostly consensual, sex and ends, in a very typical Ozon touch, on a beach with the couple basking in new love.
Oscar worthy performances come from both leads and the film again looks great.
5/5

Time to Leave (2005)
http://www.francois-ozon.com/images/tempsquireste/tempsquireste08.jpg
Ozon's new film isn't quite as good as 5 X 2 but this quiet second entry in the mourning trilogy showcases an outstanding turn from Melvil Poupaud, marking the first time Ozon has turned the focus of a film entirely on a male character. Themes, the homosexual lead, mourning, the beach recur. Ozon also uses another great french actress of a previous generation in Jeanne Moreau and recasts his 5 X 2 star Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi. Another masterpiece.
5/5

After the screening of Time To Leave Ozon took a few questions, he seemed a little reticent but did reveal that his next film will be shot here in England, in English and will be period set. I can't wait.

[Skellington]

I've seen 4 of his films

5x2, could have been a lot better - 6/10
Swimming Pool, cool movie, Ludivine Sagnier is hot - 8/10
8 Women - I don't like musical - 6/10
Gouttes d'eau sur pierre brulante (Water drops ...), weird, but again, Ludivine Sagnier is hot - 7/10

[fancycrap]

I have only seen "Swimming Pool" of his, and that is to me a completely below average thriller with a somewhat obvious twist. Thank god mademoiselle Sagnier is in it, she is both hot and naked.

Some of my hate for this film might have its roots in my hate for Charlotte Rampling. I watched an interview with her about "Swimming Pool" before I saw it, and talk about being pre-ten-tious!!!!

[Fisting Ackbar]

Been appreciating his work so far.

Loved 8 WOMEN and SWIMMING POOL - the difference of Ludivine Sagnier in both movies is stunning; a bratty teenager in one, yet a gorgeous sexpot in the other.

And I just saw his newest, TIME TO LEAVE. Refreshing to see a movie about terminal illness not turn sentimental, and while the main character is not the most likeable human being, Ozon's straightforward but-far-from-ordinary filming - of the time that is left to him - creates empathy for him by the end.
Also liked how the protagonist's homosexuality wasn't turned into some big issue or plot device, though if I have to nitpick: the scene in the gay sexclub felt stereotypically condescending.

Hope to see 5X2 and more of his earlier work soon.

[TylerDurden182]

Swimming Pool- 6/10
5X2- 7/10

[bob]

I hated Swimming Pool with a passion, but I just watched 8 Women and found it entertaining, even if I only liked one of the songs (Catherine's, if anyone cares).

So I'm back to neutral on Ozon.