Les Amants du Pont-Neuf
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Les Amants du Pont-Neuf | |
|---|---|
 Film Poster, ©Gaumont 1991 |
|
| Directed by | Léos Carax |
| Produced by | Christian Fechner |
| Written by | Léos Carax |
| Starring | Juliette Binoche Denis Lavant |
| Music by | Les Rita Mitsouko David Bowie Arvo Part |
| Cinematography | Jean-Yves Escoffier |
| Editing by | Nelly Quettier |
| Distributed by | Gaumont (France)(1991) Miramax (USA)(1999) |
| Release date(s) | 1991 |
| Country | France |
| Language | French |
| IMDb profile | |
Les Amants du Pont Neuf is a 1991 film by French director Léos Carax, starring Juliette Binoche and Denis Lavant. It was released in North America as The Lovers on the Bridge; a literal translation is The Lovers on the Pont-Neuf, referring to the Pont Neuf bridge in Paris.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
Set around the Pont Neuf, Paris's oldest bridge, while it was closed for repairs, this film is a love story between two young vagrants: Alex, a would be circus performer addicted to alcohol and sedatives and Michele, a painter driven to a life on the streets because of a failed relationship and an affliction which is slowly turning her blind. The film portrays the harsh existence of the homeless as Alex, Michele and Hans, an older vagrant survive on the streets with their wits. As they both slowly get their lives back together, Michele becomes increasingly dependent on Alex as her vision deteriorates further. Fearing that Michele will leave him if she receives a new medical treatment Alex attempts to keep Michele practically a prisoner. The streets, skies and waterways of Paris are used as a backdrop to the story in a series of stunning visuals which dominate the film.
[edit] Behind the Scenes
The production was notorious for running about 4 times over budget.
Léos Carax wanted to make a simple film, originally talking about doing it with a small team, in black and white and via Super 8. His previous movie Boy Meets Girl had been a small affair, whereas Mauvais Sang had been considerably larger and more costly.
From the start, basing a movie on a public bridge in the centre of Paris was complicated. Having raised funds of c. 32 million francs, the production team wanted to block off the bridge for 3 months. This was immediately deemed impractical, and the creation of a model was proposed and accepted by the scene-builder Michel Vandestein. Initially the notion was to film the daylight scenes on the bridge itself, and the night scenes on the simplified model. An initial proposal of between 8 and 9 million francs was adjusted to 5 million at this stage. A search for locations across Europe ended up back in France - the town of Lansargues, in the department of Hérault in southern France. Construction began.
At this time the mayor of Paris gave the authorisation for filming in Paris on the Pont Neuf - between July 28 and August 18. It was at this point that things changed. Denis Lavant, while fixing a shoe, damaged the tendon in his thumb so badly that filming could not readily be completed in the given time. The insurers were called - could Carax change actors? His view was that he could not, nor could he change his work plan. Immediately the solution was clear - that the Lansargues model be extended for daytime use.
The production team at this stage agreed that despite interruptions and rising costs, the cost of creating the model would not be more than 9 million francs. This seemed clearly low given the extent of work in Lansargues: it allowed work, however, to go on.
It was not long before the estimates were seen to be too low, and the cost rising. The producers were effectively obliged to accept a payment that would settle outstanding debts but not allow any further work. This, therefore, stopped. A frustrated cast and crew took time off to relax and it was not until the Cannes festival in 1989 that Dominique Vignier, together with the Swiss millionaire Francis von Buren, agreed to undertake the funding.
In the documentary Enquete sur un film au dessus de tout soupçcon Von Buren clearly states that he was deceived about the upcoming costs he would be forced to take on. The number of 30 million francs, given for the total cost of construction and to finish the film, was not nearly enough; the final number from this stage would be closer to 70 million francs. Some clear reasons given for this such as getting the production crew up to speed in a shorter time did not convince him and he withdrew with an estimated loss of 10 million francs. Yet again, production stopped. From October 1989 to June 1990 the only person at the site in Lansargues was the guard - and a number of storms followed over that winter.
At the Cannes festival in 1990 Cristian Fechner allocated 70 million francs in order to finish the film. Unable to find financing partners, he provided his own money, purchasing both rights and debts of the picture. The picture was finished on December 22, 1990 and released the following year.
