Silk (2007)

The story of a married silkworm merchant-turned-smuggler in 19th century France traveling to Japan for his town's supply of silkworms after a disease wipes out their African supply. During his stay in Japan, he becomes obsessed with the concubine of a local baron.

Director:

François Girard

Writers:

Alessandro Baricco (novel), François Girard (screenplay)

Stars:

Michael Pitt, Keira Knightley, Kôji Yakusho

7 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sei Ashina	...	The Girl
Michael Pitt	...	Hervé Joncour
Tony Vogel	...	Café Verdun Man #1
Toni Bertorelli	...	Verdun
Keira Knightley	...	Hélène Joncour
Kenneth Welsh	...	Mayor Joncour
Martha Burns	...	Mme. Joncour
Alfred Molina	...	Baldabiou
Michael Golding	...	Clerk
Carlo Cecchi	...	Priest
Chiara Stampone	...	Béatrice Berbek
Marc Fiorini	...	M. Chabert
Alexander Brooks	...	M. Loiseau (as Leslie Csuth)
Tôru Tezuka	...	Japanese Guide
Hiroya Morita	...	Japanese Elder #1

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

sex | nude swimming | female nudity | 1860s | based on novel | 

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Taglines:

Come back, or I shall die.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality and nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [United States]

Country:

Canada France Italy UK Japan

Language:

English Japanese Latin

Release Date:

21 September 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Retrato de amor

Filming Locations:

Ronciglione, Viterbo, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$126,537, 16 September 2007, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,103,075, 15 November 2007

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,551,009, 8 June 2008

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rhombus Media, Fandango, Bee Vine Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min 112 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Hervé Joncour: Steaming water. Strange trees. Laughing children. Her skin... those eyes. But why should I tell you about it? Why now? Maybe I just need to tell someone about it. And that someone is you.

User Reviews

A happily married Frenchman must go to Japan on business and there, he meets an intriguing and beautiful woman...

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...