The Witnesses (2007)

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

Director:

André Téchiné

Writers:

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

Stars:

Michel Blanc, Emmanuelle Béart, Sami Bouajila

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Credited 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
Satya Dusaugey	...	Le prostitué
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

Storyline

June 1984 to June 1985, from happy days to war to summer's return. A middle-aged doctor in Paris, Adrien, meets Manu, a young gay man from the provinces who lives with his sister, an opera singer. Adrien likes Manu, loves him even, in a Platonic relationship. Sarah, a writer, and Mehdi, a vice-squad cop, have an infant. Sarah discovers she has no taste for parenthood. Adrien bring Manu to Sarah's country cabin where Mehdi saves Manu from drowning. Back in Paris, an affair begins as a plague descends on Parisian gays. There are tests, illness, anger, relief, separations, and death. A year later, these friends meet again at the summer place. They are witnesses to how happiness has changed.

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Plot Keywords:

male frontal nudity | pubic hair | male pubic hair | male rear nudity | towel | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to a number of reports in Cineuropa during the film's pre-production, the original title was "Le combat de l'ange" (The Angel's Battle). This was changed to "Les témoins" (The Witnesses) by the time initial casting was announced in November 2005.

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Goofs

In several scenes, Paris métro signs (at tabacs and on buses) sport the green logo that wasn't introduced until 1992. In 1984/85, the tickets and logo should have been yellow.

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Connections

References Frankenstein (1931)

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Soundtracks

I'm A Lover
Performed by Andrea
Written by Dario Farina (as D. Farina), M. Hofmann, C. Rolando
© TELEVIS ED. MUSICALI SRL
Avec l'aimable autorisation de UNIVERSAL MUSIC PROJETS SPECIAUX
(p) 1986 Baby Records
Avec l'aimable autorisation de SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT France

User Reviews

Pushed some buttons for me

I agree with some of these comments. By 1984 I thought we were more familiar with AIDS...maybe 82 is the year this should be set. My main gripe was the unconvincing make up Manu wears, and the way he doesn't lose weight. What was so shocking and devastating for those of us growing up with the onset of AIDS was running into people who were gorgeous, fit young and beautiful. Next time you saw them their faces were blemished, their bodies wasted, emaciated, skeletal like. I recall bareley recognising a young lad who'd once been a fixture on the scene. So the scenes where Manu is nursed through the terminal stages were less than convincing and left me somewhat unmoved. Otherwise its worth seeing and its sex positive, uplifting, life affirming attitude is a welcome riposte to Hollywoods schlocky treatment of the subject.

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French English

Release Date:

7 March 2007 (France)

Also Known As:

Los testigos

Filming Locations:

Quai des Orfèvres, Paris 1, Paris, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,800, 3 February 2008

Gross USA:

$78,440

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,041,093

Company Credits

Production Co:

UGC Distribution, SBS Films, France 2 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1