In the Olympiades district of 13and arrondissement of Paris, the sentimental tribulations of four young people in their thirties, three women and a man. They are friends, sometimes lovers, often both…
Posted at 11:30 a.m.
After a stint in America and a detour towards the western side with The Sisters Brotherswho had not delighted all his admirers, Jacques Audiard (a prophet, Dheepan) is back home and this time offers a very contemporary film, inspired by three new graphics by American Adrian Tomine. Transposed into a French context and taking place in the Olympiades district, in the 13and district of Paris, the story follows the sexual and sentimental journey of four young people in their thirties, three women and a man, who seek to forge links in this era where virtual relationships also occupy an important space.
The Olympiads is thus connected to the spirit of the times, without falling into fashion or flashy effects. Avoiding any condescending gaze on people from a generation that is not his own, Jacques Audiard instead relies on an approach that is both frontal and impressionistic, thus giving his story a certain depth, despite an appearance of lightness. In this regard, the contribution of Céline Sciamma (Portrait of the girl on fire) and Léa Mysius (Ava) in writing the screenplay.
Thanks to a superb work on the images, sumptuous, in black and white (director of photography by Paul Guilhaume), the work takes on a particular dimension, which places it a little out of time. Audiard paints a modern picture of the map of Tenderness, through the journeys of four characters in perpetual learning of a new love grammar.
Rhythmed by Rone’s musical interludes, this portrait also benefits greatly from the quality of its young performers. The talent of Noémie Merlant was obviously already recognized, thanks in particular to Portrait of the girl on firebut Lucie Zhang, Makita Samba and Jenny Beth are real revelations.
We may not rank The Olympiadsreleased last year at the Cannes Film Festival (where it was in the running for the Palme d’Or), is one of Jacques Audiard’s strongest works, but the filmmaker’s propensity to explore all registers forces the admiration.
Indoors
sentimental drama
The Olympiads
Jacques Audiard
With Lucie Zhang, Makita Samba, Noémie Merlant
1:45