What is the importance of colours? Do we see the world differently when we suffer? Ozon dares to show and express various shades of emotions through his visually stunning photography: it is a dualism between black-and-white and color scenes that retains a symbolic value. Sorrow, pain, desperation and catharsis are some of the various themes that Frantz is presenting us, embodied by a thought provoking symbol such as the Manet's picture. There is also another relevant dualisim: white lies. Both Adrien and Anna manipulate the other in order to prevent more pain and suffering.
At first, Adrien makes up a story about his friendship with Frantz, and then is Anna who hides the truth. The circle is closed.But let's start with the story of "Frantz", one of the movies of the BFI London Film Festival 2016.
'Frantz' Story
François Ozon is one of the most interesting directors of the latest years and Frantz proves once again that he knows what he is doing, and he is doing it with an incredible class. The Film tells the story of a widow, Anna who finds out that one of the closest French friend of her dead fiancée is always bringing flowers to his grave. She gets to know this mysterious man, Adrien who is hiding secrets from her. What happened in France? Why is he so tormented?
PaulaBeer stuns as Anna
"Frantz" wins you over, not only for its poetry and delicacy, but mostly thanks to an incredible Paula Beer. The story is driven by this magnetic woman who experieces the various stages of grief and suffers, but she is capable of reacting. Paula Beer traps you in her net with her powerful performance.
She is just so natural and intriguing, that this role suits perfectly to her. Pierre Niney delivers a great perfomance, as well. The story of the movie is based on "Broken Lullaby" by Ernst Lubitsch. The first part is the adaptation of the play, the second is based on the creativity of Ozon and Philippe Piazzo.
Unforgettable Scenes
I won't easily forget some of Frantz's scenes. The ending with the recurring Manet's picture Le suicidé and the trenches' encounter between Adrien and Frantz can only be defined as cinematic art.
Don't miss my follow-up articles with exclusive reviews of La La Land and Manchester By The Sea. Have a look at "Frantz" trailer:
