A Curtain Raiser

Prior to his successful feature film career, François Ozon cut his teeth as a prolific maker of short films, with over a dozen under his belt (six of which are playing on Cinémoi). For such a unique and innovative filmmaker, the short form enables a certain liberation, in style and from narrative, which is perhaps why Ozon thrived so much with it. After eight full-length features, the last being his critically acclaimed A Time to Leave, the director turned his hand once more to short films for this witty comedy of manners.

After eight years of feature filmmaking, Ozon is able to cash in on his success and bring together some big guns for A Curtain Raiser. Louis Garrel (The Dreamers, Dans Paris) is the frustrated Bruno, who once again finds himself waiting for his perennially tardy girlfriend Rosette (Vahina Giocante – 99 Francs). He has calculated that 36 hours in the last six months have been spent waiting for her and if she is over 45 minutes late this time, their relationship is over. His friend Pierre (Mathieu Amalric – Quantum of Solace, Heartbeat Detector) amusedly advices and cajoles the quarreling lovers.

Cleverly written and tautly plotted, Ozon’s film plays out like a theatrical ditty. The composition of the film is meticulously measured and the camerawork fluid, allowing plenty of room for these talented and attractive actors to work their magic. You’ll leave glad that the director decided to revisit his filmmaking origins.