Illusions Perdues
After its very popular screenings at the Chichester Film Festival, we present the story of the rise and fall of a young man in Paris, who dreamed of becoming a writer and became a journalist.
In 1821, Lucien de Rubempré arrives in Paris as a sensitive, and idealistic young poet determined to write a reputation-making novel. Instead, he finds himself swept into journalism, whose influence and reach is booming with the help of the printing press, widely available of late. Under the mentorship of cynical editor Étienne Lousteau. Lucien agrees to write rave theatre reviews for bribes, achieving material success at the expense of his conscience. Lost Illusions is sumptuous yet piercing, an expertly plotted social-relations saga of the kind that once typified prestige Hollywood cinema, and it dives into moral quandaries rather than dispensing easy bromides. Cast includes Benjamin Voisin, Cecile De France and Vincent Lacoste. (Subtitles)
France 2021 Xavier Giannoli 150m