"Apres mai" (Something in the Air, 2012) is a bittersweet nostalgia trip by director Olivier Assayas, about what it was like to grow up in the turmoil of early 1970's France. The director draws a lot from personal memories, and crafts a film that isn't that much plot-relying, but instead a mood piece. The atmospheric film introduces various young people, played by talented young actors and actresses. The big narrative is the depiction of the period and how these characters eventually grow up.
The film's color palette is very sunshiny, which is fitting, since many of the memories depicted are positive. Falling in love, travelling in Europe, listening to Syd Barrett, and becoming politically active. There are also sadder elements, like police brutality towards students. The young people of this film are very aware, that they are living during revolutionary times. But the revolution doesn't come, even if the ideals are there. Eventually people have to move on.
My problem with many of Assayas' films is how loose he is as a writer and director. The films often lack a proper bone structure and a clear game plan. But for "Apres mai", being loose and fragmentary works nice. It is not a great film, but a really nice hangout film, especially to those interested in the time period.
The film's color palette is very sunshiny, which is fitting, since many of the memories depicted are positive. Falling in love, travelling in Europe, listening to Syd Barrett, and becoming politically active. There are also sadder elements, like police brutality towards students. The young people of this film are very aware, that they are living during revolutionary times. But the revolution doesn't come, even if the ideals are there. Eventually people have to move on.
My problem with many of Assayas' films is how loose he is as a writer and director. The films often lack a proper bone structure and a clear game plan. But for "Apres mai", being loose and fragmentary works nice. It is not a great film, but a really nice hangout film, especially to those interested in the time period.