The Captive (2000)
"La captive" (original title)

An adaptation of Proust's "La Prisoniere" (book five of "Remembrance of Things Past"). Set in Paris, France, it is a serious tale of a tragic and dysfunctional love.

Director:

Chantal Akerman

Writers:

Chantal Akerman (scenario), Eric De Kuyper (scenario),

Stars:

Stanislas Merhar, Sylvie Testud, Olivia Bonamy

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Stanislas Merhar	...	Simon
Sylvie Testud	...	Ariane
Olivia Bonamy	...	Andrée
Liliane Rovère	...	Françoise, the maid
Françoise Bertin	...	The grandmother
Aurore Clément	...	Léa, the actress
Vanessa Larré	...	Hélène
Samuel Tasinaje	...	Levy
Jean Borodine	...	The chauffeur
Anna Mouglalis	...	Isabelle
Bérénice Bejo	...	Sarah
Adeline Chaudron	...	Prostitute
Sophie Assante	...	The singing woman
Christopher Gendreau	...	Bellboy
Sébastien Haddouk	...	Painter

Storyline

An adaptation of Proust's "La Prisoniere" (book five of "Remembrance of Things Past"). Set in Paris, France, it is a serious tale of a tragic and dysfunctional love.

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Plot Keywords:

paris france | book | love | betrayal | swimming pool | 

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Details

Country:

France Belgium

Language:

French

Release Date:

27 September 2000 (France)

Also Known As:

The Captive

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gemini Films, arte France Cinéma, Paradise Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min 110 min (Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Loosely based on "La Prisonnière", the fifth volume of Marcel Proust's "A la Recherche du Temps Perdu".

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Quotes

Simon: When it gets finer, we could go to Venice or Vienna.
Ariane: If you like.

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Soundtracks

"TOUT ÇA PAR CE QU'AU BOIS DE CHAVILLE"
Lyrics by Pierre Destailles
Music by Claude Rolland
Editions S.E.M.I

User Reviews

you have to read Proust

You have to read Proust to appreciate this movie. I imagine it was the most awful, boring treachery to subject someone to if they hadn't read La Captive. Ackerman is actually quite witty in portraying the mental restlessness of the characters, especially Ariane/Albertine constantly being caught in her poorly planned deceptions). In addition to this her visual portrayal of Proust's themes of desire and dissatisfaction are very poignant(although sometimes uncomfortable). An example being the bathing scene, where Simon/Marcel is most vulnerable and unselfishly sensual (I say unselfishly because of the contrast of the other sensual scenes where Ariane is sleeping) but this is only possible for him because of the distance and physical barrier between them. Ackerman is not entirely successful at putting Proust's La Captive on film, but she does make a beautiful, simplified attempt.