`Curtain Raiser’: Short but Long-Lasting
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
France's celebrated director Francois Ozon brings ``A Curtain Raiser'' (Un Lever de Rideau), a 30-minute film that ponders the political dynamics of love. While short, it leaves a long-lasting impression.
The maker of creative films such as ``8 Women'' (8 Femmes, 2002) and ``The Swimming Pool'' (2003), Ozon once again captures the human condition with poignant realism and a streak of theatricality.
Bruno (Louis Garrel) has been waiting for his girlfriend (Vahina Giocante) at his apartment for half an hour. He vows to break up with her once and for all if she is more than 45 minutes late. They have been dating for eight months now, but not once has she been on time for their rendezvous. Despite Bruno's almost obsessive regard for order and punctuality, Rosette managed to win him over with her sweetness and ridiculous excuses. But he's had enough, he says.
Meanwhile, his friend Pierre (Mathieu Amalric) tries to dissuade him, saying love is meant to be ``a confinement.'' A true romantic (and thus embodying stereotyped fantasies of French beaus), he tells Bruno that he should enjoy the wait for a beautiful woman. As the 45-minute mark draws near, Bruno becomes increasingly resolute with his break-up plans but also more and more nervous about losing his beloved girlfriend. How will this sentimental tug of war end?
Developed in France in the late 18th-century, a curtain raiser is a short play that is staged before the opening of the main theatrical production. Based on the novel ``Un Incompris'' (roughly translated as "A Misunderstood Man) by Henry de Montherlant, ``Curtain'' explores the fine line between principle and tenacity; selfishness and self-esteem; and sacrifice and consideration when it comes to relationships. It explores a certain situation and offers different perspectives, but leaves many questions unanswered. Perhaps the real world acts as the main play for this curtain raiser, for it is up to the viewer to answer them.
And given its ``stage'' roots, ``Curtain'' is very theatrical. The conversation among the three characters is more like a monologue from each one of them, defining themselves through their verbalized philosophies on love.
It's also very, very French. What may seem like incessant rambling about love is actually intelligible, thought provoking and above all, thoroughly amusing. Alas, much is lost in translation ― but the fine actors pay keen attention to their speech and demeanor, and their personas translate across language barriers.
``Curtain'' is brilliant: Ozon proves once again his genius for depicting subtle sentiments. Showing the triumph of quality over quantity, it offers everything you could hope for in a short film. It's like a French cafe ― short and sweet, with a bitter aftertaste.
In French with Korean subtitles. Opens March 13 at Gwanghwamun Spongehouse (near exit 6 of Gwanghwamun station on subway line 5). Tickets cost 4,000 won. A 50 percent discount is available upon presenting a ticket for ``Angel,'' also directed by Ozon and currently playing at the same venue. Keep your ticket for the discounted viewing of Yoo Ji-tae's short film ``Out of My Intention,'' coming to screens March 20.