Les témoins (2007)

Director:

André Téchiné

Writers:

André Téchiné (scenario, adaptation and dialogue) and
Laurent Guyot (scenario, adaptation and dialogue) ...

Release Date:

7 March 2007 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Paris, 1984: A group of friends contend with the first outbreak of the AIDS epidemic.

Plot Keywords:

Gay | AIDS | Death | Opera Singer | Doctor

Awards:

2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Michel Blanc	...	Adrien
Emmanuelle Béart	...	Sarah
Sami Bouajila	...	Mehdi
Julie Depardieu	...	Julie
Johan Libéreau	...	Manu
Constance Dollé	...	Sandra
Lorenzo Balducci	...	Steve
Alain Cauchi	...	Sheriff
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
David Barbas	...	Medhi's colleague
Xavier Beauvois	...	L'éditeur
Raphaëline Goupilleau	...	La mère de Julie et Manu
Jacques Nolot	...	Le patron de l'hôtel
Maïa Simon	...	La mère de Sarah
Bertrand Soulier	...	Doctor #1

Also Known As:

The Witnesses (International: English title)

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

France

Language:

French | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Netherlands:16 | Italy:VM14 | Taiwan:R-12 | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France

Company:

UGC Distribution

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In some scenes in the streets of Paris, you can see a couple Renault Twingo parked by the sidewalk. This model was first introduced in 1993.

Movie Connections:

References Frankenstein (1931)

Soundtrack:

I'm A Lover

Sensitive and Gripping

My experience of films with a male gay theme is very limited having only seen Hollywood's most recent output before Les Temoins. It is a film that I found both refreshing and pleasantly surprising in the way in which it approaches and represents a physical gay relationship. Sex is shown to be sensitive and loving. It shows such a versatile tenderness from both parties and Sami Bouajila's performance as the character of Mehdi evokes such genuine feelings that I was moved to tears. In addition to this, I found Les Temoins an extremely beautiful film to watch visually, its very blue and yellow colour-scape providing a serene backdrop for the action. For someone looking for a much gentler yet highly gripping tale of gay love this is a film I would highly recommend.