Global Visions Film Series Presents “AMÉLIE”

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2011

Abstract

Global Visions Film Series Presents “AMÉLIE”

Wednesday, April 13, @ 7:00 p.m. Memorial Union Lecture Bowl The film is free and open to the public. A $1.00 donation is suggested.

Review by Marcia Mikulak, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology

Amelie, a delightful French romantic comedy artistically and sensuously paints several layers of color and imagination into a single story. This is a film that will attract film lovers of both genders, not for its “romance” but for its imagery, raw emotional courage, and cinematic technique. This is a deeply wonderful movie, an illuminating mix of magic and pragmatism. Due to her troubled childhood, a young and emotionally reserved Amelie (played by Audrey Tautou) has grown into an emotionally distant young woman. In order to compensate for her past, Amelie learned to withdraw into her own imagination, only to slowly emerge after discovering a treasure chest containing the childhood memorabilia of a previous tenant who had lived in her apartment. The story unfolds as the search for the owner of the childhood mementos left in her apartment leads her to interfere in the lives of other people. Because Amelie lives in the reality of her inner world, she travels through her life in an array of fascinating twists and turns. She is a complicated character, interesting and intriguing. Who she is lingers in the viewer’s imagination long after the film is over. Amelie’s inner world is her reality, yet she seems to call the world to her, while at the same time holding it at bay - it might not live up to her constructed reality. The film begs us to explore ourselves as we become entwined in Amelie’s intelligent, emotional, and idealized real and imagined realities. Her inner journey leads her to live her life in a new way, one that invites the world without to re-script her world within. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominated Amelie for awards in five categories, including Best Foreign Language Film, Art Direction, Cinematography, Sound, and Screenplay. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet; written (in French, with English subtitles) by Guillaume Laurant and Mr. Jeunet; director of photography, Bruno Delbonnel; edited by Hervé Schneid; music by Yann Tiersen; produced by Claudie Ossard; released by Miramax Zoë. Running time: 120 minutes. This film is rated R.

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