House of Voices (2004)

In 1958, in the French Alps, a young servant, Anna Jurin, arrives at Saint Ange Orphanage to work with Helena while the orphans are moved to new families. Anna, who is secretly pregnant, ... See full summary »

Director:

Pascal Laugier

Writer:

Pascal Laugier

Stars:

Virginie Ledoyen, Lou Doillon, Catriona MacColl

Cast

Credited cast:
Virginie Ledoyen	...	Anna Jurin
Lou Doillon	...	Judith
Catriona MacColl	...	Francard
Dorina Lazar	...	Ilinca
Virginie Darmon	...	Mathilde
Jérôme Soufflet	...	Daniel
Marie Herry	...	Marie
Eric Prat	...	Le responsable des services sociaux
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Marin Chouquet	...	Alex

Storyline

In 1958, in the French Alps, a young servant, Anna Jurin, arrives at Saint Ange Orphanage to work with Helena while the orphans are moved to new families. Anna, who is secretly pregnant, meets the last orphan, Judith, left behind because of her mental problems, and they become closer when Anna finds that Judith can also hear voices and footsteps of children. Anna investigate the place trying to disclose the secret about the invisible children.

---

Plot Keywords:

orphanage | war orphan | insanity | dying in childbirth | female nudity | 

---

Taglines:

Every House Has A Secret.

---

Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Horror | Mystery

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some nudity and disturbing images

Did You Know?

Trivia

In Mexico the film was released with the title "El Convento" ("The Convent") as the action happens in an orphanage. In fact, you can see only two nuns in the movie

---

Goofs

In the scene where Anna breaks the glass in the bathroom and tries to get in, a man with a camera can be seen in the remaining mirror.

---

Connections

Referenced in Viande d'origine française (2009)

---

Soundtracks

I'm in the mood for love
Music by Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Performed by Vera Lynn, Charlie Kunz and the Casani Club Orchestra

User Reviews

Laugier = awesome

This is a film that made me question the existence of IMDb user comments. Seeing that it was the same director as Martyrs I decided to seek this film out, but then considered not bothering when I saw how generally bad the reviews here and elsewhere were. I'm really glad I ignored them and did watch it in the end.

The problem with House of Voices is that it asks the audience to do a bit of the work. The story and the meaning behind it are not immediately obvious, there is an element of the film that is open to interpretation. It requires a bit of patience and an audience willing to think about what they're watching. For some people, the majority it seems, this clearly drains any potential enjoyment from the film. For me, and for a few others who have posted reviews here, it's not a problem at all, it's what makes the film so good.

Aside from that there is a lot more to recommend here. The film looks beautiful, the performances are fantastic and there are some very effective scares generated with the help of a suitably creepy atmosphere. It is also truly unpredictable at times - something often missing from the modern horror film.

Overall this is a bold, well-produced and interesting film that should be seen by anyone bored of films made to a formula.

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French English

Release Date:

23 June 2004 (France)

Also Known As:

House of Voices

Filming Locations:

Romania

Box Office

Budget:

EUR5,320,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,782,283

Company Credits

Production Co:

Castel Film Romania, Eskwad, France 3 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1