Pola X
Encyclopedia
Pola X is a 1999 French romantic drama film starring Guillaume Depardieu
, Yekaterina Golubeva and Catherine Deneuve
. The film is loosely based on the Herman Melville
novel Pierre: or, The Ambiguities
. It revolves around a successful young novelist who is confronted by a woman who claims to be his lost sister, and the two begin a romantic relationship. The film title is an acronym of the French title of the novel, Pierre ou les ambiguïtés, plus the Roman numeral "X" indicating the tenth draft version of the script that was used to make the film.
The film was entered into the 1999 Cannes Film Festival
. Pola X has been associated with the New French Extremity
.
was produced by Scott Walker
and features some instrumental tracks by him, as well as contributions by Sonic Youth
and Bill "Smog" Callahan
, who also has a cameo appearance in the film.
Guillaume Depardieu
Guillaume Depardieu was a French actor, winner of a César Award, and the elder son of Gerard Depardieu.-Personal life:...
, Yekaterina Golubeva and Catherine Deneuve
Catherine Deneuve
Catherine Deneuve is a French actress. She gained recognition for her portrayal of aloof and mysterious beauties in films such as Repulsion and Belle de jour . Deneuve was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1993 for her performance in Indochine; she also won César Awards for that...
. The film is loosely based on the Herman Melville
Herman Melville
Herman Melville was an American novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet. He is best known for his novel Moby-Dick and the posthumous novella Billy Budd....
novel Pierre: or, The Ambiguities
Pierre: or, The Ambiguities
Pierre: or, The Ambiguities is a novel written by Herman Melville, and published in 1852 by Harper & Brothers.The publication of Pierre was a critical and financial disaster for Melville. It was universally condemned for both its morals and its style...
. It revolves around a successful young novelist who is confronted by a woman who claims to be his lost sister, and the two begin a romantic relationship. The film title is an acronym of the French title of the novel, Pierre ou les ambiguïtés, plus the Roman numeral "X" indicating the tenth draft version of the script that was used to make the film.
The film was entered into the 1999 Cannes Film Festival
1999 Cannes Film Festival
The 52nd Cannes Film Festival was held on May 12-23, 1999. The Palme d'Or went to the French-Belgian film Rosetta by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne.-Jury:* David Cronenberg * André Téchiné * Barbara Hendricks...
. Pola X has been associated with the New French Extremity
New French Extremity
New French Extremity is a term coined by Artforum critic James Quandt for a collection of transgressive films by French directors at the turn of the 21st century. The filmmakers are also discussed by Jonathan Romney of The Independent...
.
Plot
Pierre (Guillaume Depardieu) lives with his mother Marie (Catherine Deneuve) in a castle in Normandy by the riverside of the Seine. They are very beautiful, rich, carefree and they like themselves. Every morning, Pierre leaves on the inherited bike of his father to visit Lucie (Delphine Chuillot), his fiance. One night, Marie announces to Pierre that she arranged the date for his marriage to Lucie. Pierre leaves to announce the good news to his fiance. On the way, in the forrest, a funereal beauty appears (Yekaterina Golubeva). She speaks with a strong accent from the countries of the East: "Pierre... you are not the only child, I am your sister, Isabelle."Cast
- Guillaume DepardieuGuillaume DepardieuGuillaume Depardieu was a French actor, winner of a César Award, and the elder son of Gerard Depardieu.-Personal life:...
as Pierre - Yekaterina Golubeva as Isabelle
- Catherine DeneuveCatherine DeneuveCatherine Deneuve is a French actress. She gained recognition for her portrayal of aloof and mysterious beauties in films such as Repulsion and Belle de jour . Deneuve was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1993 for her performance in Indochine; she also won César Awards for that...
as Marie - Delphine Chuillot as Lucie
- Laurent LucasLaurent Lucas-Biography:A student of Charles Dullin, Lucas soon became one of the most admired young performers in the Strasbourg National Theatre. He first emerged on the scene with his role in I Hate Love, where he starred as an HIV positive man....
as Thibault - Patachou as Margherite
- Petruta Catana as Razerka
- Mihaella Silaghi as The Child
- Sharunas Bartas as The Chief
- Samuel Dupuy as Fred
- Mathias Mlekuz as TV presenter
- Dine Souli as Taxi driver
- Miguel Yeco as Augusto
- Khireddine Medjoubi as Cafe owner's son
- Mark Zak as Romanian friend
- Anne Kanis as Chef's wife (Anne Richter)
Soundtrack
The soundtrackPola X (soundtrack)
-Personnel:* Jean-Claude Dubois - Orchestra Direction* Geoff Foster - Mixing* Paris Philharmonic Orchestra* Brian Gascoigne - Orchestration* Scott Walker - Producer...
was produced by Scott Walker
Scott Walker (singer)
Scott Walker, born Noel Scott Engel on January 9, 1943 is an American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, and the former lead singer of The Walker Brothers. Despite being American born, Walker's chart success has largely come in the United Kingdom, where his first four solo albums...
and features some instrumental tracks by him, as well as contributions by Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
and Bill "Smog" Callahan
Smog (band)
Bill Callahan , is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, who has also recorded and performed under the band name Smog. Callahan began working in the lo-fi genre of underground rock, with home-made tape-albums recorded on four track tape recorders...
, who also has a cameo appearance in the film.