Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Sei Ashina | ... | ||
Michael Pitt | ... | ||
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Tony Vogel | ... |
Café Verdun Man #1
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Toni Bertorelli | ... |
Verdun
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Keira Knightley | ... | ||
Kenneth Welsh | ... |
Mayor Joncour
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Martha Burns | ... |
Mme. Joncour
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Alfred Molina | ... | ||
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Michael Golding | ... |
Clerk
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Carlo Cecchi | ... |
Priest
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Chiara Stampone | ... |
Béatrice Berbek
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Marc Fiorini | ... |
M. Chabert
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Alexander Brooks | ... |
M. Loiseau
(as Leslie Csuth)
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Tôru Tezuka | ... |
Japanese Guide
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Hiroya Morita | ... |
Japanese Elder #1
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A married silkworm smuggler, Herve Joncour, in 19th Century France who travels to Japan to collect his clandestine cargo. While there he spots a beautiful Japanese woman, the concubine of a local baron, with whom he becomes obsessed. Without speaking the same language, they communicate through letters until war intervenes. Their unrequited love persists however, and Herve's wife Helene begins to suspect. Written by Anonymous
This is a beautiful film.
The story stays very close to the book I had already read twice (around 10 years ago then 6 months ago). The adaptation is faithful to the author, and even if there's not much words, the intensity of the feelings is always present. The actors convey these feelings very well, with deep sensitivity and great sensuality (just watch when Hervé is in the Japanese wooden tub, and the girl pours water on his face and lips with her fingers). The settings and sceneries are overwhelming: there's so much beauty-like the snow covered trees in Japan, the Joncour garden, ... François Girard had already shown how a fantastic Director he is with his 2 previous films, and now with Silk! He has such a strong aesthetic sense, and a great way to direct actors...