Nue propriété (2006)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Joachim Lafosse

Writers:

Joachim Lafosse (writer)
François Pirot (writer)

Release Date:

24 January 2007 (Belgium)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Divorce | Kitchen | Breakfast | Fence | Ironing

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Isabelle Huppert	...	Pascale
Jérémie Renier	...	Thierry
Yannick Renier	...	François
Kris Cuppens	...	Jan
Patrick Descamps	...	Luc
Raphaëlle Lubansu	...	Anne
Sabine Riche	...	Gerda
Dirk Tuypens	...	Dirk
Philippe Constant	...	Ami de Jan
Catherine Salée	...	Amie de Jan
Delphine Bibet	...	Karine
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Anton Biral	...	Gerda as a child
Jean-Benoît Ugeux	...	Ami de Thierry
Jonas Wertz	...	Enfant amis 2
Mathias Wertz	...	Enfant amis 1

Directed by
Joachim Lafosse

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Joachim Lafosse		writer
François Pirot		writer

Produced by
Martine de Clermont-Tonnerre	....	associate producer
Donato Rotunno	....	associate producer
Joseph Rouschop	....	producer
Arlette Zylberberg	....	associate producer

Cinematography by
Hichame Alaouie

Film Editing by
Sophie Vercruysse

Production Design by
Anna Falguères

Costume Design by
Nathalie du Roscoat

Makeup Department
Thi-Loan Nguyen	....	key makeup artist
Antonella Prestigiacomo	....	key hair stylist

Production Management
Vincent Canart	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Valerie Houdart	....	first assistant director
Vania Leturcq	....	assistant director
Céline Morsomme	....	second assistant director
Valéry Rosier	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Benoît Biral	....	sound re-recording mixer
Quentin Collette	....	boom operator
Benoît De Clerck	....	sound
Ingrid Simon	....	sound editor
Philippe van Leer	....	foley artist

Camera and Electrical Department
Nicolas Boucart	....	key grip
Jean-François Metz	....	camera operator

Editorial Department
Emilien Lazaron	....	first assistant editor

Production Companies

• Tarantula
• MACT Productions (co-production)
• Radio Télévision Belge Francophone (RTBF) (co-production)
• Wallimage (participation)
• Canal+ (participation)
• CinéCinéma (participation)
• Cofinova 2 (participation)
• Sogécinéma 2 (participation)
• Fonds National de Soutien à la Production Audiovisuelle du Luxembourg
• Région Wallonne

Distributors

• A-Film Distribution (2007) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Alfa Films (2008) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Haut et Court (2007) (France) (theatrical)
• A-Film Home Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• New Yorker Films (2007) (USA) (all media) (subtitled)
• Red Envelope Entertainment (2007) (USA) (all media)

Other Companies

• Eye-Lite Group  camera equipment provided by
• Eye-Lite Group  lighting

Also Known As:

Private Property (International: English title)

Runtime:

Canada:105 min (Toronto International Film Festival) | USA:95 min | Argentina:95 min

Country:

Luxembourg | Belgium | France

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Italy:T | Netherlands:6 | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Chaumont-Gistoux, Wallonia, Belgium

Company:

Tarantula

intimate family drama

The French film, "Private Property," sets up a fierce battle of wills between a divorced mother and the two ne'er-do-well sons (fraternal twins) who still live with her. Pascale wants to sell the house and open up a bed-and-breakfast with her new boyfriend, but the young men, fearing the loss of the property that they believe should rightly go to them, attempt to block any efforts in that direction.

With intelligent direction by Joachim Lafosse and incisive writing by Lafosse and Francois Pirot, this low-keyed family drama explores the complexities inherent in filial, sibling and marital relationships. The confrontation scenes, many of which take place during meal times (come to think of it, I don't believe I've seen this much eating in a film since "Babette's Feast"), are sharply drawn and effectively staged. The acting is excellent across the board, particularly that of Isabelle Huppert, as the middle-aged woman determined to finally start living for herself, and Jeremy Renier, as the more belligerent and self-centered of her two sons. Yannick Renier, Jeremy's brother in real life, is also very good as the more passive of the twins.

Some viewers may feel let down and frustrated by the inconclusive ending, but I enjoyed the ambiguity of it. We have been made privy to just one brief episode in the lives of these people - then it's time for us to move on.