Declaration of War
La guerre est déclarée
France
2011
100 Min
Color
2.35:1
French
Synopsis
This film is inspired by a true story – my own.
It’s the story of young love, of Juliette and Romeo, dragged harshly from their carefree happiness and forced to confront life’s unexpected, brutal chaos.
The illness of their son, Adam, will force them to face a terrible trial, to become adults. But as traumatic as it is, their suffering will allow them to blossom. It will reveal them to themselves – their strength, their courage. “Life is huge and full of danger”, and it is only in battle that our own true heroism can be revealed. –Valérie Donzelli
Director
Valérie Donzelli
Valérie Donzelli was born in the Vosges Mountains, but is not a Vosgian. She studied architecture, but is not an architect. Her first cinematic experience dates from Sandrine Veysset’s film Martha… Martha, in which she played the title role. Il fait beau dans la plus belle ville du monde is her first short as director. –Quinzaine des Réalisateurs
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Memphyt
3Apr12
Pour moi, c'est la révélation de l'année 2011 dans le cinéma français. Et dans se que j'ai vu de cette année, il passe juste après Melancholia Le seul film, après "la Vie est belle", qui m'a fait pleurer... Ce film est tellement humain, tellement beau... Que ce soit les personnages, le sujet, leur combat, les plans, le montage, les musiques... Tout est magnifiquement bien fait. A voir absolument !!!
Abby. and jaieinmiami like this
Matt Richards
3Mar12
Is it possible to make an uplifting film about a child with cancer? Yes. Donzelli crafts a positive and life affirming tale of strength in the face of massive obstacles. It's mature, moving and uses energetic skits to join longer sections together that otherwise may have been too heavy. Apparently a mix of Canon Digital and 35mm it also has one of the best opening sections I've seen in a while too. 4 stars
jaieinmiami likes this
jaieinmiami likes this
Marfil
6Jan12
Sabíamos, desde seu primeiro filme, LA REINE DES POMMES, que a atriz/cineasta gostava de Eric Rohmer. Sabemos agora que ela também gosta de François Truffaut com sua narração elegante em voz off e algumas notas do compositor Georges Delerue… São referências esparsas ao longo de um filme com tantos (a)tributos gourmet para um cinéfilo apaixonado.
jaieinmiami and 2 others like this
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Valérie Donzelli's "Declaration of War"
By David Hudson on January 27, 2012
“A genuinely moving ode to both the tenacity of filial love under extreme circumstances and the toll it extracts.”
Daily Briefing. AFI Awards and Variety's 10 Directors to Watch
By David Hudson on December 12, 2011
Also: The video games and songs of 2011.
Cannes 2011. Critics' Week
By David Hudson on May 19, 2011
Updated through 5/21 — with awards announcements. As noted last week, with support from the 4+1 Film Festival, we're celebrating the
Cannes 2011. Snapshots: Critics' Week Opening Night Film & Two Special Screenings from Directors' Fortnight
By Marie-Pierre Duhamel on May 14, 2011
Declaration of War (Valérie Donzelli, France) — Opening Night, Critics' Week It’s a love story, an action and war movie
DECLARATION OF WAR (La guerre est déclarée) Review
By Twitchfilm.com on March 9, 2012
When it comes to eating your cultural vegetables, a French film about the parents of a little boy with cancer would appear to be the brussel sprouts. Which makes the agreeable cinematic flavor of writer
Watch Trailer for French Festival Darling DECLARATION OF WAR
By Twitchfilm.com on December 4, 2011
Valérie Donzelli’s Declaration of War made a splash this summer as the opening night film of Critics Week at Cannes. It has since been selected as France’s entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar. Now
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War not just declared, but waged.
By Michael Harbour on February 11, 2012
“Declaration of War” conveys both the joy of living and the long slog of serious illness. That the movie conveys both so well is a wonder. Especially in earlier parts of the film, the music and movement… read review
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