Metamorphoses (2014)

A girl is approached by a strange boy outside her high school. He asks her to follow him to hear stories where gods fall in love with human beings.

Director:

Christophe Honoré

Writers:

Christophe Honoré (screenplay), Ovid (book)

Stars:

Matthis Lebrun, Samantha Avrillaud, Amira Akili

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthis Lebrun	...	Actéon
Samantha Avrillaud	...	Diane
Amira Akili	...	Europe
Sébastien Hirel	...	Jupiter
Mélodie Richard	...	Junon
Coralie Rouet	...	Io
Nadir Sonmez	...	Mercure
Vincent Massimino	...	Argus
Olivier Müller	...	Pan
Myriam Guizani	...	Syrinx
Gabrielle Chuiton	...	Baucis
Jean Courte	...	Philémon
Rachid O.	...	Tirésias
Arthur Jacquin	...	Narcisse
Damien Chapelle	...	Bacchus

Storyline

A girl is approached by a strange boy outside her high school. He asks her to follow him to hear stories where gods fall in love with human beings.

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Plot Keywords:

love | gods | greek mythology | reference to the god pan | reference to orpheus | 

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

3 September 2014 (France)

Also Known As:

Metamorfoses

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films Pelléas, France 3 Cinéma, Le Pacte

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

Zaide Overture, Symphony No.32
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by the Choir and Orchestra of Stuttgarter Rundfunks
Directed by Alfons Rischner

User Reviews

L'art pour l'art

Christophe Honoré is one of those typical French author cineasts: it doesn't get any artier than this. Nothing wrong with some pretentious French cinema of course. Métamorphoses has some very strong and unique moments, especially because of the transgressive way Honoré explores Ovid's mythological universe and transports it to a contemporary context. On the other hand, the transgressive style and content are harmless and even quite loyal to Ovid's poem. Seen in that way, this film isn't transgressive at all and has more of an artsy, experimental pretence. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it, but it all is quite superficial for a movie that attempts to be something much more. The cinematography is extremely beautiful though, as well as the soundtrack and some of its symbolism. But when it comes to French l'art pour l'art cinema, I think Les rencontres d'après minuit succeeds way better in its intent. Maybe because, although the film also is very autoletic, it transcends itself by subverting some bourgeois notions. Something Métamorphoses didn't do at all. But then again, maybe it's just me and my limited way of experiencing films like this.