FirstLight: Academy Screenings on Maui 2012 Nov 18, 20-21, 23-25 Dec 14, 20-23, 26, 28-30
FIRSTLIGHT FILM DESCRIPTIONS
Declaration of War
Running Time: 100 minutes
Saturday, December 17 at 3:00pm
Rated: NR
Director: Valérie Donzelli Cast: Valérie Donzelli,
Jérémie Elkaïm,
César Desseix,
Brigitte Sy,
Elina Löwensohn,
Michèle Moretti,
Philippe Laudenbach,
Bastien Bouillon,
Béatrice de Staël,
Anne Le Ny,
Frédéric Pierrot,
Gabriel Elkaïm
In French with English subtitles
The opening night film at this year's Critics Week at the Cannes Film Festival, this exuberant and deeply moving film follows a new couple, Romeo (Jérémie Elkaïm) and Juliette (Valérie Donzelli), who must face the ultimate test when they discover their newborn child is very ill. Gathering their friends and family together, they confront this ordeal together as a form of warfare. Donzelli infuses the story with unexpected verve using a host of cinematic techniques, music and heartbreaking performances that results in a film about a contemporary couple who surprises even themselves with their ability to fight not only for the life of their child but for each other. Drawing on the real life experiences of Donzelli and co-star/co-writer Elkaïm and what they went through when their own son fell ill, the film will bring tears to your eyes and dazzle you with its contagious vitality.
