Hopi Lebel

Ninon is a spirited hotel-manager who teaches self-defense classes to her terrified eldery neighbors. Daiga, an aspiring Lithuanian actress newly arrived to Paris, becomes fascinated with the life of a mysteriously beautiful drag performer.

A landmark work of symbolistic imagery. The words that the filmmakers speak offscreen are imaginary conversation with Cézanne quoted from a critique by Joachim Gasquet. An exchange of memories spanning over 250 years interweaves everything from the philosophy of Empedocles to excerpts from the film Madame Bovary, to extant paintings by Cézanne, to the buildings of the artists’ village at Mont Sainte-Victoire. —ntticc.or.jp

Student Claire lives with her mother, Anne, and Sebastien — a young man Claire brought home out of pity who is now trying to seduce them both. At school, Claire meets Gregoire, who loans her a book by philosopher Soren Kierkegaard that makes the reader attracted to whoever gave it to them. Smitten with Gregoire, Claire passes the book on to her therapist, who then falls in love with her.