Le derrière (1999)

Frédérique's mother has died recently leaving her the family stud farm. She's never met her father, doesn't even know his name. But she finds it on the back of an old photo. She sets off ... See full summary »

Director:

Valérie Lemercier

Writers:

Aude Lemercier, Valérie Lemercier

Stars:

Valérie Lemercier, Claude Rich, Dieudonné

Cast

Credited cast:
Valérie Lemercier	...	Frédérique / Frédéric Sénèque
Claude Rich	...	Pierre Arroux
Dieudonné	...	Francis
Marthe Keller	...	Christina
Patrick Catalifo	...	Jean-François
Didier Brengarth	...	Marc
Franck de la Personne	...	Georgette
Amira Casar	...	Anne-Laure
Didier Bénureau	...	Monsieur Mulot
Alain Doutey	...	Le patient français
Laurent Spielvogel	...	Patrick
Patrick Zard	...	Philippe (as Patrick Zard')
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Edward Arckless	...	Le prof de danse
Monique Aussudre	...	La mère de Frédérique (voice)
François Baudot	...	Jacques, l'ami du brunch

Storyline

Frédérique's mother has died recently leaving her the family stud farm. She's never met her father, doesn't even know his name. But she finds it on the back of an old photo. She sets off for Paris. She stays with her gay dancer pal Marc. Marc and friends decide to go to their favourite gay bar... but it's men only. So Frédérique becomes Frédéric, an effeminate gay boy... Frédérique follows her father. Pierre Arroux is an art curator - and gay. She introduces herself to him, but as Frédéric. So while Frédéric is quite an awkward young man and an embarrassment to his father, Frédérique is secretly meeting with her old boyfriend now living in Paris...

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Plot Keywords:

gay bar | horse | gender disguise | paris france | homosexuality | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

28 April 1999 (France)

Also Known As:

From Behind

Filming Locations:

Belgium

Company Credits

Production Co:

TF1 Films Production, TPS Cinéma, Vertigo

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby

Color:

Color

User Reviews

An intriguing comedy with heart

Le Derrière tells the story of a provincial young woman (Lemercier) who, after the death of her mother, goes to Paris to look for her mysterious father (Rich) who is in fact a sympathetic, rich, snobbish and gay figure of the art scene. With the help of gay friends, she makes him believe that she's a boy, and moves to his place. Though this summary makes the movie look like the "Cage aux folles" sort of gay comedies, it's much better than this. Lemercier, a well-known comedian in France, has a bizarre talent for characters who, in spite of being "extreme" or close to caricature, are also touching and complex. She mixes physical (and sometimes gross) comedy with more subtle things (like the relationships between her father and his boy-friend). At the end of the film we really like these people and care for them. The last shot of the movie is a pure delight.