La Famille Bélier (2014)

A girl, who lives with her deaf parents, discovers that she has the gift of singing.

Director:

Eric Lartigau

Writers:

Victoria Bedos (original idea), Victoria Bedos (scenario)

Stars:

Karin Viard, François Damiens, Eric Elmosnino

8 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Karin Viard	...	Gigi Bélier
François Damiens	...	Rodolphe Bélier
Eric Elmosnino	...	Fabien Thomasson
Louane Emera	...	Paula Bélier
Roxane Duran	...	Mathilde
Ilian Bergala	...	Gabriel Chevignon
Luca Gelberg	...	Quentin Bélier
Mar Sodupe	...	Mademoiselle Dos Santos
Stéphan Wojtowicz	...	Lapidus - le maire
Jérôme Kircher	...	Le docteur Pugeot
Bruno Gomila	...	Rossigneux
Véronique Poulain	...	La cliente du marché
Philippe Dusseau	...	Le président du jury
Clémence Lassalas	...	Karène
Melchior Lebeaut	...	L'élève binoclard

Storyline

The Béliers are ordinary people: Rodolphe and Gigi are married, have two children and run their farm for a living. Ordinary people? Well, almost... since three of them, Dad, Mum and their son Quentin, are deaf. Which is not the case of the boy's big sister, Paula. And not only can she speak but her music teacher scouts her beautiful voice as well. He offers her to sit for the entrance exam of the Maîtrise de Radio France, a vocal elite choir in Paris. Her parents, who rely on her as their ears and mouth in the outside world, take the news badly. Paula, who hates the idea of betraying her parents and her brother, goes through a painful dilemma...

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Plot Keywords:

deaf | singing | coming of age | family relationships | love | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] Oficial site [sp]

Country:

France Belgium

Language:

French Sign Languages Spanish

Release Date:

17 December 2014 (France)

Also Known As:

La familia Bélier

Filming Locations:

Collège Les Hautiers - 18 rue des Hautiers, Marines, Val-d'Oise, France

Box Office

Budget:

$11,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$73,948,603

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jerico, Mars Films, France 2 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song "Je vole" was written by Michel Sardou as a kind of suicide note of a teenager [as he explained in his autobiography]. In the movie the lyrics were slightly changed (except the refrain) to fit to the theme of the movie, which is leaving home for a career, not suicide.

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Crazy Credits

After the cast list, there are photos of Rodolphe as Mayor with Gigi, of Thomasson's wedding to Mademoiselle Dos Santos, and of Paula and Gabriel in Paris.

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Connections

References Twilight (2008)

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Soundtracks

Romance
Written and Performed by Evgueni Galperine and Sacha Galperine

User Reviews

A Real Piece of Art.. in a World Driven by the Size of your Budget

In a few words this movie is a real masterpiece. It is able to 'broadcast' so many beautiful messages via a surprising good sense of humor.

It places the viewer in the position of various characters living a completely different life and facing controversial problems. And all that is accomplished in a real comedy way..

I have never thought what it feels like to be deaf, this movie allowed me to 'live' that situation for a few minutes.

Isn't that the real meaning of filming? Placing viewers to positions that they couldn't be placed in real life..?

I adored this film for another reason too.. It shows to all of us that you can still film a masterpiece with a tight budget.

It seems that good filming isn't the exclusive privilege of wealthy productions. Budget in filming is like money in life.. it makes things easier but it doesn't guarantee success.

Well done my French friends, "Bravo" I shall be watching you!

George P.