A remarkably humanistic writer/director whose introspective features often dwell on youthful malaise, French filmmaker Jacques Doillon has an uncanny knack for exploring human nature and the impact of people’s actions on those most dear to them. Perhaps it was his penchant for directing documentary shorts early on that gave Doillon his insight, but by the time he moved into feature territory in the early ‘70s he had suitably mastered the ability to tell a solid and affecting story. In 1979, Doillon was nominated for two César awards for his compelling psychological drama The Hussy, and his 1984 film La Pirate was a Golden Palm nominee at the Cannes Film Festival. By the 1990s, Doillon’s career had gained effective momentum. His 1990 film Le Petit Criminel, which told the involving tale of a troubled adolescent, was nominated for multiple César awards. After his success with film Le Jeune Werther in 1993, the director scored his biggest international hit to date with the 1996 drama Ponette… read more
Sometimes it’s boring, but mostly endearing. I don’t know how this 4-year-old Victoire Thivisol can manage to act so naturally as a sad melancholic child that learns to be happy. But she does. Watching an innocent child cries and says, “I want to die,” is not an enjoyable experience, eh? I guess I should cheer myself up with a cup of coffee and Hey Arnold the series :P.
Ce qui touche et émeut dans le film de Jacques Doillon n’est pas le drame et le deuil qui s’ensuit, c’est sa sensibilité de cinéaste qui n’hésite jamais à prendre le temps des émotions, à filmer Ponette… read review
When “Ponette” was released in the U.S. in 1996, it was with little fanfare and limited release. Even today French films do not receive wide distribution unless they star Audrey Tautou. Ponette is… read review