Bullfighting, music, medicine, change, and homoerotic possibilities mix in this study of friendship. Francisco is a bullfighter on his way up, so focused even sex doesn’t hold his interest. After a minor road accident, he meets a doctor, Manuel, who attends a bullfight, leaving early, retching. His wife, who is also his partner in a string quartet, worries about him: Manuel has a history of breakdown. Manuel, for his part, hates bullfighting and the memories it brings of Franco’s Spain. His harsh views undermine Francisco’s focus. He accompanies the young fighter to Spain for an important corrida. Will Francisco succeed? And what becomes of this friendship? –IMDb
Jeanne Labrune (b. 1950, Berry Bouy, Cher, France) debuted in features in 1988 with Sand and Blood (De sable et de sang). Her other titles include Sans un cri (1992) and Beware of My Love (Si je t’aime, prends garde à toi, 1998). Two years later she remade the film as a contemporary comedy, Ça ira mieux demain, starring Nathalie Baye, Jeanne Balibar and Jean-Pierre Darroussin. The movie was screened at the 2001 Namur Francophone IFF. Her latest film, Special Delivery (C’est le bouquet!), was shown at the same festival, cast once again with top French actors: Sandrine Kiberlain, Dominique Blanc, Jean-Pierre Darroussin and Jean-Claude Brialy. In 1989 Labrune founded Art-Light Productions, and there she produced her last four movies. Selected filmography: La Part de l’autre (1985), De sable et de sang (1988), Sans un cri (1991), Si je t’aime, prends garde à toi (1998), Ça ira mieux demain (2000), Special Delivery (2002). —KVIFF