The Officers' Ward (film)
Encyclopedia
The Officers' Ward is a 2001
French film
, directed by François Dupeyron
and starring Eric Caravaca
as the central character. It based on the novel
by Marc Dugain
. It is supposedly based on the experiences of one of the author's own ancestors during World War I
.
There is a strong focus on the fleeting romance between Adrien and Clémence, a woman he meets by chance shortly before departing for the war, and his later attempts to track her down. When he finally does meet her again, she fails to recognise him.
Whereas the novel follows the experiences of the group right up to World War II and beyond, the film ends just after the First World War, the final scene being Adrien's chance meeting with his future wife.
2001 in film
The year 2001 in film involved some significant events, including the first of the Harry Potter series and also the first of The Lord of the Rings trilogy...
French film
Cinema of France
The Cinema of France comprises the art of film and creative movies made within the nation of France or by French filmmakers abroad.France is the birthplace of cinema and was responsible for many of its early significant contributions. Several important cinematic movements, including the Nouvelle...
, directed by François Dupeyron
François Dupeyron
François Dupeyron is a French film director and screenwriter. He has directed 17 films since 1977. His film La chambre des officiers was entered into the 2001 Cannes Film Festival.-Filmography:...
and starring Eric Caravaca
Eric Caravaca
Eric Caracava is a French actor and director.The son of an engineer, Caracava studied literature while taking acting lessons...
as the central character. It based on the novel
The Officers' Ward (novel)
The Officers' Ward , is a novel by Marc Dugain, published in 1999 . It is supposedly based on the experiences of one of the author's own ancestors during World War I....
by Marc Dugain
Marc Dugain
Marc Dugain is a French novelist, chiefly known for La Chambre des Officiers , a novel set in World War I.Dugain was born in Senegal, and studied at the Institut d'études politiques de Grenoble...
. It is supposedly based on the experiences of one of the author's own ancestors during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Synopsis
The film concentrates more on the period spent in hospital than the original novel, and emphasizes the horror of the friends' injuries. On Adrien's arrival at the ward, all the mirrors are removed and staff are instructed not to give any to him, but we see from the expressions on the faces of others just how bad the damage is. Adrien becomes increasingly desperate to see the damage done to his face, even asking a visitor to draw a picture of him. Dupeyron ensures that we do not see the horrifying extent of Adrien's injuries until the moment that he himself does - by looking at his reflection in a window pane.There is a strong focus on the fleeting romance between Adrien and Clémence, a woman he meets by chance shortly before departing for the war, and his later attempts to track her down. When he finally does meet her again, she fails to recognise him.
Whereas the novel follows the experiences of the group right up to World War II and beyond, the film ends just after the First World War, the final scene being Adrien's chance meeting with his future wife.
Cast
- Eric CaravacaEric CaravacaEric Caracava is a French actor and director.The son of an engineer, Caracava studied literature while taking acting lessons...
- Adrien - Denis PodalydèsDenis PodalydèsDenis Podalydès is a French actor, director and scriptwriter of Greek descent. He is a Sociétaire of the Comédie-Française....
- Henri - Grégori Derangère - Pierre
- Sabine AzémaSabine AzémaSabine Azéma is a French actress. Born in Paris, she graduated from the Paris Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, and began her film career in 1975...
- Anaïs - André DussollierAndré DussollierAndré Dussollier is a French actor.-Filmography:* 1970 : Ils, directed by Jean-Daniel Simon* 1972 : Les Chemins de pierre, directed by Joseph Drimal...
- The surgeon - Isabelle RenauldIsabelle RenauldIsabelle Renauld is a French actress.-Selected filmography:- External links :...
- Marguerite - Géraldine PailhasGéraldine PailhasGéraldine Pailhas Géraldine Pailhas Géraldine Pailhas (born 8 January 1971 is a French actress. She had her first international success in 1995 as Doña Anna, the unfulfilled love of Johnny Depp in the comedy Don Juan DeMarco. Born in Marseille she is married to actor Christopher Thompson...
- Clémence - Jean-Michel Portal - Alain
- Guy Tréjan - The minister
- Xavier De Guillebon - Louis
- Catherine Arditi - Adrien's mother
- Paul Le PersonPaul Le PersonPaul Le Person was a French actor. He appeared in more than ninety films from 1963 to 2005.-Selected filmography:- External links :...
- Adrien's grandfather - Circé Lethem - Adrien's sister
- Elise TielrooyÉlise Tielrooy-Selected filmography:- External links :...
- Nurse Cécile - Agathe Dronne - Adrien's future wife
Awards and nominations
- Cannes Film Festival2001 Cannes Film FestivalThe 2001 Cannes Film Festival started on May 14 and ran until May 25. The Palme d'Or went to the Italian film The Son's Room by Nanni Moretti.-Jury:* Liv Ullmann, President * Mimmo Calopresti * Charlotte Gainsbourg...
(France)- Nominated: Golden Palm (François Dupeyron)
- César Awards (France)
- Won: Best Cinematography (Tetsuo Nagata)
- Won: Best Actor – Supporting Role (André Dussollier)
- Nominated: Best Actor – Leading Role (Eric Caravaca)
- Nominated: Best Costume Design (Catherine Bouchard)
- Nominated: Best Director (François Dupeyron)
- Nominated: Best Film
- Nominated: Best Writing (François Dupeyron)
- Nominated: Most Promising Actor (Grégori Derangère and Jean-Michel Portal)