Alternative Film Nights ~ December 2007

Le Chignon d'Olga
Jérome Bonnell, France, 2001, 92mins, (15)

A tender and romantic drama; the film mixes grief and humour to present the lives of a provincial family dealing with the death of their beloved mother. Over one summer in a sleepy town in the Loire Valley, debt ridden children’s author Gilles and his children Julien and Emma struggle to come to terms with their loss, their new roles within the family, desire and adolescent sexual confusion.

Naturalistic and understated, it drawers comparisons with the films of veteran French director Eric Rohmer. Surprising then that it was the directorial debut of Jérome Bonnell who was just 23 at the time of shooting. The title refers to Julien’s often hilarious yearning for Olga, a beautiful bookshop assistant whose hair is tied in a chigon or bun.

"Examines huge subjects such as sex and death with the lightness and grace of a butterfly wing brushing your cheek…As sweet as it is sad" Barbara Ellen - The Times

Sweet
James Pilkington, UK, 2000, 10'
Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt of The Mighty Boosh star in this outrageous comedy short about a man dating an imaginary girl.

Father and Daughter
Michael Dudoc de Wit, UK/Holland, 2000, 8'
Beautiful watercolour animation about a young girl whose father disappears one day. Winner of the 2001 Best Animation Oscar.

PLUS compere Dafydd Chilton

more...

Alternative Film Nights ~ great movies, short films, compere, DJ and cakes!