Them (2006) Ils (original title)

Directors:

David Moreau
Xavier Palud

Writers:

Xavier Palud
David Moreau

Release Date:

20 April 2006 (South Korea)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

The film that terrified Europe has come to America

Plot:

Lucas and Clementine live peacefully in their isolated country house, but one night they wake up to strange noise... they're not alone... and a group of hooded assailants begin to terrorize them throughout the night.

Plot Keywords:

Night | Car | House | Country House | Writer

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Olivia Bonamy	...	Clémentine
Michaël Cohen	...	Lucas
Adriana Mocca	...	Ilona (as Adriana Moca)
Maria Roman	...	Sanda
Camelia Maxim	...	Maria
Alexandru Boghiu	...	L'enfant
Emanuel Stefanuc	...	Adolescent n°1
Horia Ioan	...	Adolescent n°2
Stefan Cornic	...	Adolescent n°3
George Iulian	...	Adolescent n°4

Directed by
David Moreau
Xavier Palud

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
David Moreau
Xavier Palud

Produced by
Frédéric Doniguian	....	executive producer
Richard Grandpierre	....	producer
Bogdan Moncea	....	line producer
Vlad Paunescu	....	co-producer

Original Music by
René-Marc Bini

Cinematography by
Axel Cosnefroy

Film Editing by
Nicolas Sarkissian

Casting by
Floriela Grapini
Guillaume Moulin

Set Decoration by
Alexandra Botoi Tudorache

Costume Design by
Elisabeth Mehu

Makeup Department
Lidia Constantin	....	key hair stylist
Lidia Ivanov	....	key hair stylist
Dana Roseanu	....	key makeup artist

Production Management
Cristian Bostanescu	....	executive in charge of production
Nicolas Dancel	....	unit manager
Elena Valeanu	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Oana Ene	....	second assistant director
Franck Vestiel	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Andi Rosu	....	props buyer
Loïc Fontimpe	....	storyboard artist (uncredited)

Sound Department
Germain Boulay	....	supervising sound editor
Yannick Boulot	....	sound recordist
Edouard d'Heucqueville	....	sound mix technician
François-Joseph Hors	....	sound re-recording mixer
Marion Lorthioir	....	post-synchronisation
Thomas Pietrucci	....	sound re-recording boom operator
Serge Rouquairol	....	sound editor
Vadim Staver	....	boom operator

Special Effects by
Melania Ciurlin	....	special makeup effects
Ionel Popa	....	prosthetic and makeup effect

Visual Effects by
Christophe Lucotte	....	color grader

Stunts
Dicu Aurel	....	stunt rigger
Stéphane Boulay	....	stunts
Jean-Benoit Guillon	....	stunts
Mihaela Elena Oros	....	stunt double
Daniel Pasleaga	....	stunt performer
Vasilescu Valentin	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Florin Mihalache	....	electrician

Casting Department
Ovidiu Paunescu	....	extras casting

Music Department
Avril Philippe	....	music mixer
Avril Philippe	....	music recording engineer

Transportation Department
Octav Tudor	....	transportation coordinator

Other crew
Andreea Iordache	....	location manager
Ruxandra Popescu	....	production accountant
Pierre Selinger	....	production attorney
Oana Topliceanu	....	production coordinator

Thanks
Kook Ewo	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Eskwad
• StudioCanal (co-production)
• Castel Film Romania (co-production)
• Canal+ (participation)
• CinéCinéma (participation)

Distributors

• Mars Distribution (2006) (France) (theatrical)
• Future Film (2007) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Metrodome Distribution (2007) (UK) (theatrical)
• Slowhand Cinema Releasing (2007) (USA) (theatrical)
• Dark Sky Films (2007) (USA) (theatrical) (subtitled)
• Vértigo Films (2006) (Spain) (theatrical)
• A-Film Home Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Ascot Elite Entertainment Group (2007) (Switzerland) (DVD)
• Dark Sky Films (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Europa Filmes (2008) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Film1 (2008) (Netherlands) (TV) (limited)
• MPI Home Video
• Media Cooperation One (MC-One) (2006) (Germany) (DVD)
• Metrodome Distribution (2006) (UK) (all media)
• Sociedad Anónima del Vídeo (S.A.V.) (2007) (Spain) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Video (2008) (Australia) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Castel Film Romania  production facilities
• Reel Chefs Catering  catering

Also Known As:

"Ils" - France (original title)

MPAA:

Rated R for some violence and terror

Runtime:

France:77 min

Country:

France | Romania

Language:

French | Romanian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | Finland:K-15 | Germany:16 | Italy:VM14 | France:-12 (with warning) | South Korea:15 | USA:R | Japan:R-15 | Netherlands:16 | Portugal:M/16 | New Zealand:R16 | Australia:MA (2008) | Sweden:15 | Spain:18

Filming Locations:

Bucharest, Romania

Company:

Eskwad

Trivia:

The house used in the film was an actual sprawling old estate in Bucharest, Romania. The house was so large that the production was unable to furnish all the rooms for shooting, but it was also large enough that the entire production worked out of the location.

Goofs:

Continuity: Right after Clementine removes the piece of glass from Lucas' leg, there are repeated shots of the bedroom door as the intruders try to get in. During one such shot the handle that had just busted off reappears, intact. In the next shot of the door the handle is once again missing.

Quotes:

[last lines]
Child:We just want to play! Why won't you ley us? Let us! Will you let us?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Viande d'origine française (2009) (TV)

Edge of Your Seat

While I would never classify "Them" as science fiction in the least, it is definitely a keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller, but one tastefully made without gratuitous violence or gore. Based on a true life story, this film speaks to the banality of violence, and the essence of fear. I've seen plenty of gripping thrillers, but this one kept me squirming and shielding my eyes for a full hour, with an ending that leaves you stunned. Speaking no French or Romanian and having seen it with English sub-titles, I cannot attest to the value of the script. The performances, however, seem solid and the film is expertly shot and musically scored - all these elements add to the power of the film. I would appreciate more information on the real events on which "Them" is based, so if anyone knows more, please contact me.