The Man of My Life

L’Homme de sa vie
France 2006    114mins subtitled
Dir: Zabou Breitman
Starring: Bernard Campan; Charles Berling; Léa Drucker; Jacqueline Jehanneuf; Eric Prat

Visually elegant and reflective, first time director, Breitman, evocatively captures an explorative journey into the self amidst the emotional demands of family.

During the annual summer exodus to the sun-drenched French countryside, the chaotic and loving extended family of Frédéric (Campan) and Frédérique (Drucker) arrive at their rambling country house. In the midst of hot languid days, the husband meets their solitary and self-possessed neighbour, Hugo (Berling), and invites him to dinner. Well into the early hours of the morning, the husband and Hugo discuss love, passion, relationships, sex, family responsibility and emotional commitment. As a result, a connection that borders on a crush develops between the dedicated husband and father and the openly gay commitment-phobe. Along with unforeseen events, the ensuing emotional turmoil and uncertainty begins to jeopardise the squeaky clean worlds that the two men have separately fought long and hard to establish.

JHB     Sat 3 / 5.30pm         Thu 8 / 9.15pm             Sat 10 / 10.15pm
CT    Sun 11 / 8pm         Fri 16 / 11pm             Sun 18 / 8.30pm