La tête haute (2015)

A juvenile judge and a special educator are convinced that they can save the young delinquent Malony from himself and his violent ways.

Director:

Emmanuelle Bercot

Writers:

Emmanuelle Bercot, Marcia Romano

Stars:

Catherine Deneuve, Rod Paradot, Benoît Magimel

5 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Catherine Deneuve	...	La juge des enfants Florence Blaque
Rod Paradot	...	Malony Ferrandot
Benoît Magimel	...	Yann
Sara Forestier	...	Séverine Ferrandot
Diane Rouxel	...	Tess
Elisabeth Mazev	...	Claudine
Anne Suarez	...	La directrice du CEF
Christophe Meynet	...	Maître Robin
Martin Loizillon	...	Le procureur
Lucie Parchemal	...	La greffière
Catherine Salée	...	Gladys Vatier
Enzo Trouillet	...	Malony à 6 ans
Ludovic Berthillot	...	Ludo
Michel Masiero	...	Le grand-père
Marie Piémontèse	...	La principale du collège

Storyline

Malony has been in conflict with the school and with the law since he was six. But Florence Blaque, a juvenile judge, and Yann, a special educator, are convinced that they can save him from the spiral of revolt and violence in which he seems to be caught for the rest of his days. Will they attain their end in spite of everything, in spite of Malony himself who is his own worst enemy ?

---

Plot Keywords:

judge | delinquent | magistrate | juvenile delinquency | reform school | 

---

Taglines:

We take the hand we are given

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language and some sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

13 May 2015 (France)

Also Known As:

Standing Tall

Filming Locations:

Etablissement pénitentiaire pour mineurs, 1 rue Rambion, Meyzieu, Rhône, Rhône-Alpes, France

Box Office

Budget:

€5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,488, 3 April 2016, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$24,013, 17 April 2016

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films du Kiosque, France 2 Cinéma, Wild Bunch

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rod Paradot was discovered by one of the casting directors in a technical college where he was preparing for a NVQ in joinery.

---

Connections

References Shrek (2001)

---

Soundtracks

Summa
Composed by Arvo Pärt
Performed by Bournemouth Sinfonietta, conducted by Richard Studt
(p) 1994 Warner Classics, Warner Music UK Ltd.
With permission of Warner Music France, A Warner Music Group Company, and Universal Edition AG Vienna.

User Reviews

Yes...but

I certainly agree with the panning of this very intense film even though I gave it a high rating which I did because when it's good, it's very good - "intense" doesn't begin to approach how gripping this film and especially the performance of Paridot is. Granted though, the characters are one dimensional: they're either totally evil, total losers (like the mother) or possessed of angelic patience and calm. I'm a soft-hearted former teacher and believe in second chances but Malony gets one hundred and two and still screws up. I kept thinking as he messed up violently yet again that THIS was the time they'd throw away the key but no, "one more chance". Totally unrealistic and a vision of money wasting in the public sector that should be cut off tomorrow.