Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (2008)

A woman struggles to interact with her family and find her place in society after spending fifteen years in prison.

Director:

Philippe Claudel

Writer:

Philippe Claudel

Stars:

Kristin Scott Thomas, Elsa Zylberstein, Serge Hazanavicius

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 14 wins & 28 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kristin Scott Thomas	...	Juliette
Elsa Zylberstein	...	Léa
Serge Hazanavicius	...	Luc
Laurent Grévill	...	Michel
Frédéric Pierrot	...	Capitaine Fauré
Lise Ségur	...	P'tit Lys
Jean-Claude Arnaud	...	Papy Paul
Mouss Zouheyri	...	Samir
Souad Mouchrik	...	Kaisha
Nicole Dubois	...	DRH hôpital
Catherine Hosmalin	...	Conseillère d'insertion
Laurent Claret	...	Directeur hôpital
Marcel Ouendeno	...	Bamakalé
Gérard Barbonnet	...	Monsieur Lucien
Jérémie Covillault	...	Jeune inspecteur

Storyline

Juliette was 15 years in prison. Confronted with the unexpected goodness of her younger sister Léa, who makes Juliette a part of her family, very slowly breaks up Juliette's ice and bitterness and she carefully opens up.

---

Plot Keywords:

murder of a child | child | death of a child | reading a newspaper | tossing a pillow | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic material and smoking

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] Official site [UK]

Country:

France Germany

Language:

French English

Release Date:

20 February 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hace mucho que te quiero

Filming Locations:

Nancy, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$64,731, 26 October 2008, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$3,167,876, 19 April 2009

Company Credits

Production Co:

UGC YM,Integral Film,France 3 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The note written by Juliette's dead son, which Lea finds by accident, reads: "Un jardin sous la plui c'est doux triste come moi sans toi. Maman je veux pas que tu meure jamais. On sera ensemble toujours. Tu es mon amour. Ton petit Pierre". (A garden under the rain is sweet sad like me without you. Mama I don't want you to die ever. We'll be together always. You are my love. Your little Pierre.)

---

Quotes

P'tit Lys: The prince went slowly through the forest. His beautiful horse was silent. The sky was taking on the color of roses. "Will I be in time?" the prince wondered. He remembered what the magician had told him. "Night is your only enemy. Once it has cast its cloak of darkness over the world and you cannot tell the shadow of a dog from that of a wolf, you will know it is too late and that your beautiful lady is lost forever. Hurry if you love her." The prince's heart was pounding.

---

Connections

References To Be or Not to Be (1942)

---

Soundtracks

Meunier, Tu Dors
Traditional French
Performed by Kristin Scott Thomas, Elsa Zylberstein, Serge Hazanavicius and Lise Ségur

User Reviews

Moving Forwards

I found that this film stayed with me for a few days after I'd seen it. The film shows some strange behaviours which are resolved as the story unfolds (e.g., the initial attitude of the brother-in-law which seems both heartless towards his sister-in-law and insensitive towards his wife). The portrayal of the relationship of the sisters is well done while the development of the relationship between Scott-Thomas and Greville is beautifully drawn - in a way that only French directors manage; the smallest gestures having deep meaning. I thought the direction of the older child was nothing short of outstanding - that is how articulate 7 to 8 year old children behave. I think that this is a life-affirming film despite the obvious losses. There is both a literal and symbolic birth.