La guerre est déclarée (2011)

When their young son is diagnosed with a brain tumor, young parents Roméo and Juliette unite in the fight for his survival.

Director:

Valérie Donzelli

Writers:

Valérie Donzelli, Jérémie Elkaïm

Stars:

Valérie Donzelli, Jérémie Elkaïm, César Desseix

10 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Valérie Donzelli	...	Juliette
Jérémie Elkaïm	...	Roméo Benaïm
César Desseix	...	Adam Benaïm à 18 mois
Gabriel Elkaïm	...	Adam Benaïm à 8 ans
Brigitte Sy	...	Claudia Benaïm - la mère de Roméo
Elina Löwensohn	...	Alex - la compagne de Claudia
Michèle Moretti	...	Geneviève - la mère de Juliette
Philippe Laudenbach	...	Philippe - le père de Juliette
Bastien Bouillon	...	Nikos
Béatrice de Staël	...	Le docteur Ghislaine Prat - la pédiatre
Anne Le Ny	...	Le docteur Fitoussi - la neuropédiatre
Frédéric Pierrot	...	Le professeur Sainte-Rose
Elisabeth Dion	...	Le docteur Kalifa de l'IGR
Pauline Gaillard	...	Un narrateur (voice)
Philippe Barassat	...	Un narrateur (voice)

Storyline

Roméo and Juliette are two young actors. They fall in love at first sight, move in together and make a baby. A love story and the founding of a home like millions of others. Except that their little boy, Adam, behaves abnormally. The young parents try hard to persuade themselves that everything is okay but, with the passing of time, they cannot delude themselves anymore : their son has a problem. Their fears are unfortunately confirmed : Adam suffers from a malignant brain tumor. From now on, war is declared. A war against illness. A war against Death. A war against despair.

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Plot Keywords:

chemotherapy | child with cancer | cancer treatment | desperately ill child | child development | 

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Taglines:

A couple, Romeo and Juliet. A child, Adam. A fight, the disease. And above all, a great love story, theirs...

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [France]

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

31 August 2011 (France)

Also Known As:

Declaración de guerra

Filming Locations:

Corniche, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,791, 29 January 2012, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$46,225, 11 March 2012

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rectangle Productions, Wild Bunch, Canal+

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film takes its inspiration from what actually happened to Valérie Donzelli and Jérémie Elkaïm, whose child fell seriously ill.

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Crazy Credits

The end credits start with: "Pour Gabriel" (For Gabriel) and "Pour les médicins, les infirmières et l'hôpital public" (For the doctors, the nurses and the public hospital).

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Connections

References The Jungle Book (1967)

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Soundtracks

Rectangle
Written and performed by Jacno
(Celluloid, 1979)

User Reviews

HK Neo Reviews: [36HKIFF] Declaration of War / La guerre est déclaré (2011) – France

@ 36th Hong Kong International Film Festival

By being the opening film of the 36th Hong Kong International Film Festival, Declaration of War is a film that touches the audience hearts, but more importantly it talks about real humans, real events, real emotions and real surroundings. For that alone director and main actress deserves a simple round of applause. It is not easy to go through a traumatic experience and come out strongly by telling her life story through films. This film works because the director never stray away from its core issue of a couple dealing with their child having a brain trauma and all the other issues that goes along with it – losing money, jobs, lifestyle, relationships and ultimately themselves. It should be complimented that the film yet is about to play with a sense of humor along the way.

Valerie Donzelli not only carries the film as the mother and wife, but directs a film that is so personal to her. It was my honour to meet such a strong lady at the festival. In the scene where she ran and ran in the hospital corridors until she collapses is a perfect example of originality in her camera work and her ability to depicts and communicate a difficult moment. Likewise her former partner Jeremie Elkaim excels in a role that compliments Valerie and two display amazing chemistry that cannot just be manufactured.

All in all, Declaration of War is very much a personal film, about how a child's illness can affect almost everything in his parents life. Dealing with difficult times like these is never easy and often the wear and tear will stop any couple from living their lives. Points should be given to Valerie for being able to so convincing portray these emotions. Although the film seems raw at times, War is very much a perfect example of how an extremely personal film can still affect the audience. While the film may never be a masterpiece, Valerie have certainly created and shared something special…

Neo rates 8.5/10

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