A Christmas Tale
Film - Nouveau Cinéma Français Filmfest 2008

A Christmas Tale

Directed by Arnaud Desplechin

Info

Director: Arnaud Desplechin
Section: Nouveau Cinéma Français
Country: France
Year: 2008
PT: Un conte de Noël
OT: Un conte de Noël
Language: French
Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Jean-Paul Roussillon, Anne Consigny, Mathieu Amalric
18+ (no age rating)

Logline

A Christmas Tale

Abel and Junon had two children, Joseph and Elizabeth. Victim of a rare genetic condition, Joseph's only hope was a bone marrow transplant. As they and Elizabeth were incompatible, his parents conceived a third child in the hope of saving their son. But little Henri too was unable to help his brother, and Joseph died at the age of seven. The Vuillard family has never recovered. Many years have passed, and relationships are more strained than ever. In particular, those between Elizabeth, authoritarian head of the family and Henri, a cynical drop out who divides his time between women and drink. After a violent argument, Elizabeth banishes her feckless brother, cutting him off from his nephew, her son Paul - a tortured adolescent beset by serious mental problems. Wild Bunch, Paris "A strong cast including many Desplechin regulars is sure to receive an enthusiastic welcome ... Desplechin is a master at this sort of Chekovian orchestration of multiple story lines." Hollywood Reporter

Meet the director

Arnaud Desplechin