“My life, my mouth”, a fanciful and offbeat self-portrait by director Sophie Fillières

A bittersweet comedy about a woman’s path to finding her place and a taste for life, Sophie Fillières’ 7th feature film opened the Filmmakers’ Fortnight at the Cannes festival. A preview all the more moving as the director died at the end of filming, leaving her loved ones to complete the film.

A standing ovation and tears from Agnès Jaoui, Valérie Donzelli and the entire film team. Rarely has the opening of the Filmmakers’ Fortnight in Cannes caused so much emotion. Because Sophie Fillières’ latest film touches the heart but also because the director is missing.

Disappeared in July 2023, just after the filming of the film, she entrusted her two children Agathe and Adam Bonitzer and her editor François Quiperé with the responsibility of editing the film and post-production.

My life my face is in no way a tribute or a testamentary film, Sophie Fillières was not aware of her illness when she wrote the screenplay. The filmmaker’s final feature film traces a woman’s path to rediscover her desire. A winding path between his wanderings, his fear of death and his taste for joy.

This self-portrait is divided into three acts: a bittersweet comedy (Pif) on the mid-life crisis of a mother, the tragedy (Paf) when life changes and finally the resurrection (Youkou) of the one who found its place.

In the skin of Barbie Bichette aka Sophie Fillières, Agnès Jaoui subtly embodies this fanciful heroine who wonders in the morning how many showers she has left before death, shines at night with her yellow vest and berates her psychoanalyst during the day when he refuses to take part in a casual conversation.

Sophie Filllières has no equal when it comes to describing life as it goes and funny situations. A master in the art of self-deprecation, she gives poetry a central place in her story. As a response to the absurdity of life.

“I’m discovering the film this evening, testifies Valérie Donzelli who plays Barberie Bichette’s sister in the film. I find it absolutely graceful. It’s really upsetting. Sophie Fillières is gone but Agnès Jaoui on screen, we have the impression that it’s her.”

Whimsical and clumsy, My life my face upsets and surprises with its light despite everything. Like this scene where Barberie leaves her children, Rose (Angelina Woreth) and Junior (Edouard Sulpice) on the quay, to escape to the Scottish Highlands. A happy and confident goodbye. A disturbing scene as it today turns out to be premonitory.

Gender : Drama
Director: Sophie Fillières
Actors: Agnès Jaoui, Valérie Doznzelli, Philippe Katherine, Angelina Woreth, Edouard Sulpice
Country : France
Duration : 1h39
Exit : September 18, 2024