Down by Love (2016)

Based on a true story, the impossible love between a prison director and one of its female inmates.

Director:

Pierre Godeau

Writers:

Pierre Godeau (adaptation), Pierre Godeau (dialogue)

Stars:

Adèle Exarchopoulos, Guillaume Gallienne, Stéphanie Cléau

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Adèle Exarchopoulos	...	Anna Amari
Guillaume Gallienne	...	Jean Firmino
Stéphanie Cléau	...	Elise Firmino
Aliénor Poisson	...	Louise Firmino
Cyrielle Martinez	...	Zoé
Selma Mansouri	...	Sonia
Sabila Moussadek	...	Aïda
Julie Moulier	...	Pilar
Marie Rivière	...	La mère d'Anna
Maryline Even	...	Co-détenue Fleury
Olivier Foubert	...	Le prof de français
Marie Berto	...	Béatrice
Aude Briant	...	Secrétaire Jean
Guillaume Marquet	...	Le contrôleur général des prisons
Nade Dieu	...	Capitaine de police

Storyline

Already incarcerated for four years, the rebellious teenager, Anna Amari, is transferred to a women's correctional facility, where right from the start, she will catch Jean Firmino's eye, the detention centre's director. But even though Jean is over twice Anna's age, in a seemingly good marriage, with a young daughter and a good job, his dangerous and powerful obsession for the sultry inmate will soon drag them both into an all-consuming and passionate love affair. Trapped behind the prison's thick walls, Jean will do everything to snatch a brief moment with the object of his desire, taking incrementally bigger risks despite gossip and consequences. Under those circumstances, is there a future in their reckless affair?

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Plot Keywords:

adultery | nudity | female nudity | stripping in public | prison | 

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Taglines:

To Live. To Lose Reason. To Love.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Quotes

Anna Amari: [after having sex] Once more. Come on Jean, fuck me one last time. I'm so crazy about you. Just one last time.
Jean Firmino: You've said that three times. I can't Anna, I've emptied my entire tank for you.
Anna Amari: I'll make you hard again after I blow you. After that, we can fuck again.
Jean Firmino: I love you Anna, but I have other places to go.
Anna Amari: "My lips, refuse passage to the words I seek to frame. Some strong power urges me to speak, and a stronger one holds me back. I call you all to witness, o heavenly powers, I do not want that...
[...]

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Soundtracks

Ne partons pas Fâchés
Written by Raphael
Performed by Katerine, Francis et ses peintres
© Paris 1900 Editions - Nouvelles Editions Françaises
V 2010 Edie Editions
Authorised by Paris 1900 Editions, Nouvelles Editions Françaises and Universal Music Vision

User Reviews

Exarchopoulos + Gallienne the reason to watch the movie

I gave seven for the absolutely mesmerizing cast. This couple formed by Guillaume Gallienne (Les garçons et Guillaume à table, Yves Saint Laurent), one of the most versatile and surprising French actors (he's also part of la Comedy Francaise theater company), always powerful in his creativity, and a very talented young actress,like Adele Exarchopoulos (La vie d'Adele) who can explode with emotions, seemed odd on paper but it works, like all the other actors (notable mention to the wonderful Stephanie Cleau). Fortunately, I must say, because the director Pierre Godeau, doesn't seem able to cope properly with the sensitive matter in the plot. A love story in prison between the jail director and a prisoner, inspired to a real fact that happened to "Emma" , a young woman involved in France, in the vicious kidnapping and homicide of a young Jewish man by a street gang. None of the criminal case is present in the movie. Godeau sublimates the characters in the world apart of the prison, which can be cool, but he hasn't a real direction. Here everything is left in mid-air, or reduced to simplistic answers. The actors nonetheless make the movie compelling.

Details

Country:

France Belgium

Language:

French

Release Date:

2 March 2016 (France)

Also Known As:

Down by Love

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$390, 21 August 2016

Gross USA:

$675

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$53,780

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pan Européenne, LGM Productions, StudioCanal

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1