59th BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL 2009
Published in the journal Sequences
Tavernier, the beast light
veteran Bertrand Tavernier returned to Berlin In this year with the Electric Mist , awaited adaptation of the novel by the American James Lee Burke revered in France as one of the most brilliant heirs of the classic thriller. Largely ignored by critics, the film has also left the jury with marble but to rediscover a landmark of French cinema-loving American culture.
Tavernier did not take the camera and the megaphone from the well-meaning Holy Lola in 2004, but at age 68, preferred the former critic more selective, even if the wait ... to visit. The poster of In the Electric Mist had everything to hide this absence: Tommy Lee Jones and John Goodman, both residents at the edges of bayous of Louisiana, mouth and had lived in employment to embody the irascible Dave Robicheaux and Julie 'Baby Feet' Balboni, add to this duo Peter Sarsgaard, Mary Steenburgen, Ned Beatty, John Sayles and guitarist Buddy Guy in small roles and whole has the air ticket to stardom American, 20 years after Tavernier has traveled the country with Cajun Mississippi Blues and 'Round Midnight .
Alas, the film unpacks all the defects of the co unhappy - here between the U.S. and France - especially at the mounting drifts artistic and narrative tension, which was quick to sack the real capital of authenticity made by Tavernier to express his deep love of Southern culture and mores.
"I had a fascination Robicheaux his earliest appearances in the novel Burke, in fact, I could choose any of his stories, but In the Electric Mist seemed the most acceptable and necessary to sum up the spirit and characters, told Tavernier at the Berlin Festival. I love him because he fights against the stupidity and violence, although it is often angry and full of contradictions. "
Tavernier discovered the work of Burke by Philippe Noiret, shortly before his death. The filmmaker had even tried to dedicate the film, but his producer had advised against the U.S., citing legal problems. "Noiret was crazy Burke, he had devoured his work, he recalled. He said it was the greatest thriller writer alive. "Welcoming also
he could recover John Goodman, who lives three hours of filming locations, Tavernier spoke evocative side of Louisiana to camp history. "For me, the environment defines the character when he is not himself a character in itself, "he resumed. It is for this reason that most minor roles were assigned to non-professionals, who were anyway all a bit theatrical in their own way. For his part, the cinematographer Bruno de Keyzer has had to spend several days with the director to find the right locations, particularly because of the constant light capricious in that corner of the United States.
The filmmaker was able to count on Burke himself to complete the screenplay, he did not hesitate to change dialogue or rewriting some entire scenes. Tommy Lee Jones, who confessed to Tavernier had some spats during filming, however, contributed in its way to script it up with suggestions. "I like working with actors getting involved in every scene, and Jones was one of those. It can evoke the past of his character with a single word, a single tone. "
admitted taking turn some liberties with the novel by James Lee Burke, Tavernier held accountable in his film of the present state of Louisiana following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. "Having made reference to Katrina was not a purely political gesture, but mostly reflected a reality that we faced during the filming, the director explained. I met the nuns who were busy rebuilding a church, as it defined the current state of this region, the character of this community, accustomed to rise after having experienced several tragedies. Moreover, it seemed to me interesting to ensure that the character of Balboni has defrauded federal aid to Katrina instead of dealing with porn cinemas as was the case in the book. The fact is genuine, because tens of millions of dollars have disappeared during the tragedy. "Goodman, meanwhile, confessed to having to deal with post-Katrina three years now:" It's part of our lives, and this is the case for years to come. "
© 2009 Charles-Stéphane Roy
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