Amer (2009)

As a young girl Ana was a rebellious child. She was also tormented by images of death and a shadowy, ominous figure in black. Now an adult, she is once again tormented by shadowy, other-worldly forms.

Directors:

Hélène Cattet, Bruno Forzani

Writers:

Hélène Cattet, Bruno Forzani

Stars:

Cassandra Forêt, Charlotte Eugène Guibeaud, Marie Bos

7 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cassandra Forêt	...	Ana enfant
Charlotte Eugène Guibeaud	...	Ana adolescente (as Charlotte Eugène Guibbaud)
Marie Bos	...	Ana adulte
Biancamaria D'Amato	...	La mère (as Bianca Maria D'Amato)
Harry Cleven	...	Le taximan
Jean-Michel Vovk	...	Le père
Bernard Marbaix	...	La grand-père mort
Thomas Bonzani	...	Nono, l'adolescent
François Cognard	...	La silhouette
Delphine Brual	...	Graziella
Jean Secq	...	L'épicier
Béatrice Butler	...	L'épicière
Charles Forzani	...	L'agriculteur / L'homme à la voiture rouge
Benjamin Guyot	...	Éboueur
Yves Fostier	...	Ëboueur

Storyline

Three key moments, all of them sensual, define Ana's life. Her carnal search sways between reality and colored fantasies becoming more and more oppressive. A black laced hand prevents her from screaming. The wind lifts her dress and caresses her thighs. A razor blade brushes her skin, where will this chaotic and carnivorous journey leave her?

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Plot Keywords:

close up of eye | looking through a keyhole | hiding under a bed | pocket watch | sideways camera shot | 

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shot over a period of 39 days.

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Connections

References Black Belly of the Tarantula (1971)

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Soundtracks

La polizia ha le mani legate
Written by Stelvio Cipriani
Published by Cinevox Records/Grandi Firme della Canzone

User Reviews

Fine ingredients, but the cake is badly baked

Leaving viewers in the dark about the true inclination of a piece is commonplace in Art Cinema. I do agree that most mainstream films now are over explained and blatant with whatever plot device is being utilised. However, while i think it's good for the viewer to give a little of themselves to work at understanding a director's vision this was a little much.

The visuals are beautiful. Some of the little touches exquisite (the way the teenage Ana hypnotically chews on a strand of her hair was simultaneously abhorrent and alluring) I'm sure there is an intricate back-story here with allusions to Sigmund Freud etc (from what i've heard there is a portrait of him in the house, however i didn't see it) but i'm not hugely interested in discovering what it is. A little explanation can make all the difference. Some connection with the audience would have helped this piece along.

In the end, the plot made little difference. Its slightness WAS the film for me. I enjoyed the inspired jump-cuts and the obsession with body hair and sexual gratification. I was amused and disturbed. That's fine. But the film used these devices to the point of saturation. Overkill. Egotism.

I may be missing the point here, so be it. This film stands well as a piece of visual art. The vivid blue Mediterranean, the dark haired women, the gorgeous cinematography in general. But it is missing something as a film and thus with narrative. It would have worked FAR better as a short 15 minute piece.I would like to say i'd re-watch this and get to grips with what the director is trying to say, but that would be a lie. Certainly this film is nothing like the Giallo films of Fulci and Argento that i have seen so far in my admittedly limited viewing.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

France Belgium

Language:

French

Release Date:

3 March 2010 (France)

Also Known As:

Amer

Filming Locations:

Menton, Alpes-Maritimes, France

Box Office

Budget:

EUR880,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Anonymes Films, Tobina Film, Canal+

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1