feature
director & actor Patrick
Ridremont, and actor
Jean-Luc Couchard present
Dead Man Talking
RIOREMONT
rr
PARENTAL DISCRETION
director Patrick Ridremont
Patrick Ri and
Jean-Sébastien Lopez
producers Serge de Poucques, Sylvain
Goldberg, Lilian Eche, Christel Henon
starring Patrick Ridremont, Jean-Luc
Couchard, Frangois Berléand,
Virginie Efira, Christian Marin
running time 1h 41min
Dead Man Talking
English synopsis
William Lamers, 40 years of age, an anonymous criminal
condemned to death for murder, is about to be executed. The
procedure is taking place in general indifference: neither the
family of the sentenced, nor of his victims attend the execu-
tion. Only a journalist from a cheap local tabloid is present
to witness the “show.” However, what should typically be a
routine and banal procedure rapidly evolves into an absolute
nightmare for the prison director. When asked if he has any
last words, the condemned begins to talk, and talk ... Very
quickly, this story becomes a political issue and attracts a
lot of media attention. And everyone becomes mesmerized
by the story of this condemned man turned into a modern
Scheherazade.
Synopsis en francais
William Lamers, 40 ans, anonyme criminel condamné &
mort pour meurtre, se prépare a étre exécuté. La procédure
se passe dans l’indifférence générale et, ni la famille du
condamné, ni celle de ses victimes n’a fait le déplacement
pour assister a |’exécution. Seul le journaliste d’un minable
tabloid local est venu assister au «spectacle». Pourtant, ce
qui ne devait étre qu'une formalité va rapidement devenir un
véritable cauchemar pour le directeur de la prison. Au mo-
ment oi on lui demande s’il a une derniére déclaration a faire,
le condamné se met a parler. Trés vite cette histoire devient
un enjeu politique et une iti Et tout le
monde est pendu a I’histoire de ce condamné transformé en
Shéhérazade des temps modernes.
yi
How could you describe the film?
It is a tragic fable, with a lot of hu-
mor added. There is a real dramatic
tension. The subject is dreadful: a
man is about to be put to death.
This is not a laughable matter. But at
the same time, we dare to introduce
completely opposite characters: a
grotesque governor and a cynical
director. They make you laugh, but in
order not to cry.
Your film is completely original,
but its duality laughter/teeth-
grinding is very Belgian. One
cannot avoid thinking of the Coen
brothers’ first films.
It is very clearly a reference for me.
| wanted the codes to be clear and
evident. That is what you find in
the work of the Coen brothers. No
ambiguity. | had the same objective:
| wanted a very dumb governor and
a very cynical prison director. From
there, the talent of the comedians,
the subtleties and nuances they
impart onto these characters do
the rest. But as an author, | wanted
very clear guiding lines and definite
artistic stances.
In addition to directing your first
full-length feature film, you have
decided to play the main part as
well.
At a specific moment, the challenge
did feel a little overwhelming. Should
| direct? Should | play? But it did not
last long. | believe that there is fair
wind only for those who know where
they are going. So, at a certain point,
you tell yourself, OK, | do what | feel
like doing and give myself the means
to succeed.
ENTRETIEN AVEC LE
REALISATEUR PATRICK
RIDREMONT
Comment pourrait-on décrire le
film ?
C’est une fable tragique, avec un
supplément d’humour. Il y a une
vraie tension dramatique, le sujet
est terrible : ce type on va le tuer,
on n’est pas [a pour rire. Mais
en méme temps, on ose inclure
des personnages grotesques ou
cyniques comme le gouverneur et
le directeur de la prison. Ils font rire,
mais on rit aussi pour ne pas pleurer.
Votre film est totalement original,
mais sa dualité rire/grincements
de dents est trés belge. Et puis,
on ne peut pas s’empécher en le
voyant, de penser aux premiers
films des fréres Coen.
C’est trés clairement une référence
pour moi. Je voulais que les codes
soient clairs et évidents. On trouve
cela chez les fréres Coen. J’avais
ce méme objectif : je voulais que
le gouverneur soit complétement
idiot et le directeur de la prison
trés cynique. Aprés, le talent des
comédiens comme de la finesse et
des nuances a ces personnages fait
le reste. Mais en tant qu’auteur, je
voulais des lignes directrices trés
claires et des partis pris artistiques
sans concession.
En plus de diriger votre premier
long métrage, vous jouez le réle
principal.
Aun certain moment, le challenge a
été un peu oppressant. Est-ce que je
fais les deux? Est-ce que je réalise?
Est-ce que je joue? Mais ga n’a pas
duré longtemps. Je crois aux lignes
directrices: il n'y a de vent favorable
que pour ceux qui savent ou ils vont.
Donc a un moment, on se dit : je fais
ce que j'ai envie de faire et je me
donne les moyens de réussir.
Thursday, March 26
Artist-Technicians are at the core of
Jepson School
ON UofR CAMPUS - Lecture Room 118
Free and open to the public
10-11 a.m. Master Class: and
Presentation
bby and discussion with
screenwriters Juliette Sales and Fabien Suarez
11 am.-noon Master Class: Frangois Truffaut,
frangaise
1-3p.m. Master Class: Cinematographer Pierre-William Glenn with
Rémy Julienne, THE Artist-Technician of Stunts
IN THE BYRD THEATRE
4:30 p.m. La Nuit américaine by Francois Truffaut
Pierre-William Glenn and stunt coordinator Rémy Julienne
7:00 p.m. L’Enlévement de Michel Houellebecq by Guillaume Nicloux
9:00 p.m. Le Retour de Martin Guerre by Daniel Vigne
Daniel Vigne
, March 27
ae 3YRD THEATRE
4:00 p.m. Master Class: Cinema & Ethnography: Film at Work for
Presentation Papous, entre
deux mondes and Martin Guerre,
7:00 p.m. Le Temps des aveux by Régis Wargnier
by and with Slony Sow
Presentation directors
Emilie Nobiet, Nina Maini, Juliette Sales & Fabien Suarez,
Karine Blanc, Julien Séze, Gérard Camy, Danny Sangra
and actor Antoine Coesens
10:15 a.m. Belle et Sébastien by Nicolas Vanier
with
‘screenwriters Juliette Sales & Fabien Suarez
1:00 p.m. Dead Man Talking by Patrick Ridremont
and discussion with
director and actor Patrick Ridremont &
actor Jean-Luc Couchard
3:30 p.m. Un illustre inconnu by Matthieu Delaporte
Presentation by and discussion with
foci cotmpphceseaiioliet
co-producer Alexandre de la Patelliére
7:00 p.m. Official Reception at the VCU Scott House
9:45 p.m. _ (1) Exclusive US Screening in partnership with La Cinémathéque
(from the Auboin-Vermorel and Marie-Héléne
Rare &
(2) World Premiére Screening of The Byrd: A Love Affair
by Jean Achache Presentation by and discussion with
director Jean Achache
Sunday, March 29
IN THE 1D THEATRE
9:00 a.m.
Second Short Film Series
La Fille du rail by Eva Sehet
J’ai pas envie qu'on se quitte maintenant by Joachim Cohen
Futur proche by Ted Hardy-Carna
Lune et le loup by Patrick Delage & Toma Leroux
LArt et la maniére culturelie a I’école by Julien Camy
Marcell by Jean Achache
by and discussion with directors Eva Sehet,
Joachim Cohen, Ted Hardy-Carnac, Patrick Delage &
Toma Leroux, Julien Camy, and Jean Achache
11:00 a.m. Bé6bé tigre by Cyprien Vial
Presentation by and discussion with
actor Harmandeep Palminder
1:00 p.m. De toutes nos forces by Nils Tavernier
Presentation by and discussion with director Nils Tavernier
2:45 p.m. Pas son genre by Lucas Belvaux
Presentation by and with director Lucas Belvaux
5:30 p.m. Gemma Bovery by Anne Fontaine
7:30 p.m. Diplomatie by Volker Schiéndorff
AT TRADEMARKY ), 1613 W. Main Street
and open to the public (rsvp)
7-9 p.m. Importance aeeauel
seus wh decors Jean hace and Jack Stenba,
Virginia Bertholet, moderal
Master Class Venue
‘Thursday's Master Class will be held on the first floor of the Jepson School of
held in the Byrd Post-Festival Master Class will be held at
Films Studios. All Master Classes are free and open to the public.
Festival Venue
Theatre is located at 2908 W. Peters pete
Wang dene orccuier anacy
Official Reception
Pulecesing se ier cap esiciabypmie le and regular VIP pass
have purchased the $25 add-on for the It
eaten prensasa ear Meas carte add-or
you still may do so by contacting the festival office. The 's event plan-
no-smoking vin, at
|, Va. Reserved parking is available for reception
attendees on both sides along Franklin Street from Harrison to Laurel Streets.
Photo © David Koskas 2014 Agat Films & Cie, Artémis Productions, France 3 Cinéma,,
Radio Télévision Belge Francophone, Belgacom. Actess Emilie Dequenne &
actor Loic Corbery in Pas son genre, a film by Lucas Belvaux. #
french
sors Virginia Comm fealthUniversity and the University of Richmond present
prim festival
March 26-29, 2015
s have English subfitles
e) presented by their
actors Gnd directors.
+ wwwirenchfilmfestival.us
