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A Secret
2007
The discovery of a deep family secret and and a passionate story, as seen through the eyes of Francois, an only child who invents an imaginary brother and imagines his parents' past. The day he reaches 15, a family friend reveals an upsetting truth to the young Francois, but one that will make him stronger. Read more
| Starring | Cecile De France, Patrick Bruel, Ludivine Sagnier, Julie Depardieu |
|---|---|
| Director | Claude Miller |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
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A Secret
The discovery of a deep family secret and and a passionate story, as seen through the eyes of Francois, an only child who invents an imaginary brother and imagines his parents' past. The day he reaches 15, a family friend reveals an upsetting truth to the young Francois, but one that will make him stronger.
| Starring | Cecile De France, Patrick Bruel, Ludivine Sagnier, Julie Depardieu, Mathieu Amalric, Nathalie Boutefeu |
|---|---|
| Director | Claude Miller |
| Studio | HIGH FLIERS |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 45 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
| Language | DVD: French |
| Released | DVD: 06 Oct 2008 Production year: 2007 |
| Format | DVD |
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Most helpful member's review
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26 out of 26 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Mystery, romance and betrayal in WW2 France
Growing up in the decades after the second World War, Francois is the skinny, sickly son of two bronzed and athletic parents. He dreams up a stronger, fitter older brother to compensate for his own feelings of inadequacy - and only slowly comes to learn that such a brother really existed. One secret leads to more revelations in this powerful, emotional story whose heart is in the Nazi occupation of France.
Looking back now from the 1980s ( the modern era in black & white while the 1950's and the war period itself are in glorious colour) Francois recognizes a passionate love triangle, and a web of desire and betrayal in his parents' lives. And it's all mixed up with the Jewish experience of WW2 France.
The French still have trouble revisiting the traumatic experience of the German occupation - and particularly the guilty silence over Jewish deportations. Director Claude Milller avoids any melodrama but quietly points up the huge gap in the family's past and the shame that comes down through generations.
It's a gripping story, part mystery, as the truth emerges from revisiting the past. It's also a tragic romance and a reminder of the power of repression & silence. And it has some cracking performances from Cecile de France and Patrick Bruel as the parents, Tania & Maxime, from Julie Depardieu as their friend, and especially from Ludivine Sagnier as Maxime's first wife. -
Most recent members' review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Secret
An excellent film slightly betrayed by a curious dissipation of energy and/or purpose which is hard to identify. However, these French films do the style very well indeed. My only minor gripe would be the casting of the father; his mildly repulsive nature, no doubt intended, was a little too tangible for comfort, more so than the film required and slightly counter-productive, to me at least!
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