“This summer” tells about the “real test” that the cinema has come close to

CINEMA – Eight years after its global success Aries family, Éric Lartigau returns to the family drama. This Wednesday, January 4, the 58-year-old French director (give me your hand, A man who wants to live his life) signs the action This summera film adaptation of Canadian author Mariko Tamaki’s graphic novel.

Her story is that of Dune (Rose Pou Pellicer). Dune is 11 years old and quite characteristic. Like every summer, he goes with his parents to their old house in Landes. At the site, her childhood friend Mathilde (Juliette Havelange) is waiting for her with the promise of good weather, nature and swimming. The family has not set foot there for two years.

What can make Dune happy? Not really. The child makes a face. His parents (Marina Foïs and Gael García Bernal) argue all day. His mother is far away. He lost his sense of smell because he used to have a nose. Moreover, she can no longer have children. Or does he not want it anymore? Dune doesn’t get that, or more. Something has changed.

A benign story of displacement, thereby raising questions of connection with motherhood, but also of tender adolescence, This summer only at the end, in the decisive scene, he reveals to the audience the reason for this mother-daughter’s estrangement. Flashback.

Note that the rest of this article explains the main elements of the film. If you want to keep a complete surprise in front of the viewer, we recommend that you stop reading now.

It’s been two summers and Sarah, who has yet to tell anyone she’s pregnant, comes out of the water. There, on the beach, he feels blood running down his legs. You can see the fear in his eyes. Sarah goes down. ” The picture is raw, quite ugly, Hits the interpreter, Marina Fois The HuffPost met It is concrete. He is accurate. »

That was the goal. In the production notes, screenwriter Delphine Gleize explains that it was important to her that ” recognize what women are going through “, this is inferiority,” it doesn’t necessarily happen in the toilet, with a small fee, three sessions of shrink and presto “.

The word “fall” is never mentioned in the film, but the memory of it never leaves and eats away at Sara, a secret she keeps from herself, her mental and physical health, her partner and her family. ” He is waitingÉric Lartigau tells us in turn. He can’t. He wants to get laid. »

” It’s not just that she can’t have another child, Marina Fois continues. This is also what is said about one’s own body. Why did life decide that he would no longer walk? This means that his relationship is no longer working ? The actress continues: I didn’t know it, but I have no doubt that motherhood is a real test for a woman who suppresses her desire, because she has memories. »

Miscarriage, an omerta

However, as movie star Sharon Stone recently shared her personal story, women who go through this ordeal often face a lack of understanding and support. An opinion shared by Marina Foïs. ” You would never tell someone who just had a baby to take two months off to fix it.observes the latter. There are no days off during childbirth. No sick leave. We have a baby and go to work the next morning. »

He adds: ” Well, we are not into sugar. It can be done. That’s not the point. The problem is that it’s not as widely accepted as it should be. I think for some women this is a real test. This was complained by a group in March 2022, posted on a collective’s website in a forum. The worldcondemned the omertà around the natural termination of pregnancy, but also the lack of information and support on this topic.

However, one in four pregnancies in France ends in the first trimester. It’s a real societal theme that’s still under-researched in cinema, at least not in film This summer. ” will be displayed”Eric Lartigau assures us.

According to Marina Fois, “ As life changes, so does the view of women and the female body.”. ” One day, for example, we will create characters of women who do not want children, and this will not be a topic– says the actress. This woman will come without being neurotic, psychopathic or fucked up. » If some movies, e.g Annie Anger Where Saint-Omerwent in this direction in 2022, This summerit sets the ball rolling for 2023.

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