'Merci la vie' (1991)

Director:

Bertrand Blier

Writer:

Bertrand Blier

Release Date:

13 March 1991 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Camille, a naive schoolgirl meets an intiguing influence in Joelle, a slightly older and much more experienced spirit...

Plot Keywords:

AIDS | Exploring Sexuality | Film In Film | Sexual Exploration | Infidelity

Awards:

1 win & 6 nominations

Cast

Charlotte Gainsbourg	...	Camille Pelleveau
Anouk Grinberg	...	Joëlle
Michel Blanc	...	Raymond Pelleveau (Young Father)
Jean Carmet	...	Raymond Pelleveau (Old Father)
Annie Girardot	...	Evangéline Pelleveau (Old Mother)
Jean-Louis Trintignant	...	SS Officer
Catherine Jacob	...	Evangéline Pelleveau (Young Mother)
Gérard Depardieu	...	Doctor Marc Antoine Worms
Thierry Frémont	...	François
François Perrot	...	Maurice, the Film Director
Yves Rénier	...	Robert, the guard
Didier Bénureau	...	2nd Film Director
Anouk Ferjac	...	Mother in clinic
Philippe Clévenot	...	Producer
Jacques Boudet	...	Craven, the Depositer
Jacques Seiler	...	Inspector
Christiane Jean	...	Wife of Marc-Antoine
Jean-Michel Dupuis	...	Lorry Driver
Laurent Gamelon	...	Brother-in-Law
Jean Rougerie	...	Forensic scientist
Michel Berto	...	Banker
Olivier Mazoyer	...	Blond Manager
Laurence Guerre	...	Daughter in clinic
Eric Prat	...	Strong Patient
Philippe Cal	...	Non-commissioned Officer
Jacques Chailleux	...	Driver
René Remblier	...	Property Man
Marc Zammit	...	Assistant
Elric Thomas	...	Alphonse
Fabienne Tricottet	...	Nurse
Vincent Grass
Claude Barichasse
Maxime Lombard
Eric Denize	...	Houseman
Claude Aufaure	...	Manager
Isabelle de Botton	...	Mother of the Bride
Serge Barbagallo	...	Bidegroom
Maria Pitarresi	...	Bride
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bruno Abraham-Kremer	...	Patient (uncredited)
Pierre Aussedat	...	Patient (uncredited)
Beatrice Bertrand	...	Dresser (uncredited)
Yves Boonen	...	Patient (uncredited)
Stéphane Boucher	...	Journalist (uncredited)
Odile Cohen	...	Nurse (uncredited)
Frédéric Darie	...	Policeman (uncredited)
François Gamard	...	Policeman (uncredited)
Jean-Pierre Gos	...	Policeman (uncredited)
Marion Laine	...	Nurse (uncredited)
Guy Louret	...	Labourer (uncredited)
Jurgen Mash	...	SS Officer (uncredited)
Bernard Nissile	...	Patient (uncredited)
Jean-Michel Noirey	...	Patient (uncredited)
Dominique Ratonnat	...	Journalist (uncredited)
Alain Sachs	...	Patient (uncredited)

Directed by
Bertrand Blier

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Bertrand Blier

Produced by
Catherine Blier Florin	....	co-producer
Jean-Louis Livi	....	producer
Bernard Marescot	....	executive producer

Cinematography by
Philippe Rousselot

Film Editing by
Claudine Merlin

Casting by
Gérard Moulévrier

Production Design by
Théobald Meurisse

Costume Design by
Jacqueline Bouchard
Lolita Lempicka		(gowns)

Makeup Department
Joël Lavau	....	makeup artist
Thierry Marino	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Gilles Loutfi	....	unit manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Frédéric Auburtin	....	second unit director
Philippe Chapus	....	second assistant director
Luc Goldenberg	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Michel Grimaud	....	property master

Sound Department
Michel Barlier	....	assistant sound mixer
Paul Bertault	....	sound mixer
Bernard Chaumeil	....	boom operator
Pierre Gamet	....	sound
Jean-Pierre Lelong	....	foley artist

Special Effects by
Georges Demétrau	....	special effects
Philippe Hubin	....	special effects
Ralph Salis	....	special effects

Visual Effects by
Hubert Fourneaux	....	digital effects artist

Stunts
Gilles Conseil	....	stunts
Philippe Lazoore	....	stunts
Philippe Zone	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Valérie Blier	....	still photographer
Stephane Canda	....	grip
Patrick de Ranter	....	Steadicam operator
Francine Filatriau	....	assistant camera
Marc Koninckx	....	Steadicam operator
Laurent Passera	....	grip
Gérard Rival	....	grip
Richard Vidal	....	electrician

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Anne David	....	costume supervisor

Editorial Department
Yvan Lucas	....	color timer

Other crew
Véronique Lagrange	....	script supervisor

Production Companies

• Ciné Valse (presents)
• Film Par Film (presents)
• Orly Films (co-production)
• DD Productions (co-production) (as d.d. productions)
• Societé d'Exploitation et de Distribution de Films (SEDIF) (co-production) (as sedif)
• Films A2 (co-production)
• Canal+ (participation)
• Sofiarp (participation)
• Investimage 2 (participation) (as investimage 2 et 3)
• Investimage 3 (participation) (as investimage 2 et 3)

Distributors

• AMLF (1991) (France) (theatrical)
• Studio Canal (2006) (France) (DVD)
• Artificial Eye (1992) (UK) (theatrical)
• Herald Ace (1992) (Japan) (theatrical)

Other Companies

• Virgin France  soundtrack
• Euro-Titres  titles and opticals
• Studio Copra  sound re-recording (as Copra)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Black and White | Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Portugal:M/16 | Finland:K-12 | France:-12 | UK:18

Filming Locations:

Hérault, France

Company:

Ciné Valse

Movie Connections:

References Buffet Froid (1979)

Soundtrack:

Concerto pour harpe et orchestre - Andante

Thank you, cinema

One of those few movies which changed my life - well, stayed in my consciousness for a long time. You won't like it if you don't suspend conventional expectations about plot, story, time lines, conclusions etc. as they're irrelevant here. Blier plays with just about everything he can lay his camera on, including the audience (particularly the audience). This movie is like a roller-coaster ride under the influence of a healthy dose of caffeine (at least)...

Great little movie about big stuff - expect to be surprised at every tangent and put your cerebrally charged glasses on. Having said that, the 90% degree turns zap along largely without the aid of soulless special effects or computer-generated eye-candy. 8 out of 10 in my view for originality and creative endeavour.