Axiom Films Catalogue 2014 June 2014 | Page 53

THE SEA WALL (2008) A film by Rithy Panh Widely praised following its world premiere as a Special Presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival, director Rithy Panh's (S-21, RICE PEOPLE) celebrated period epic set in the rich landscape of French colonial Indochina is a highly successful adaptation of Marguerite Duras' acclaimed and semiautobiographical novel "Un Barrage Contre le Pacifique" ("The Sea Wall"), featuring a stunning leading performance by BAFTA Award Winner and recipient of the European Film Academy's 2009 Achievement in World Cinema, Isabelle Huppert. Deceived into investing all of her savings in worthless, regularly flooded farmland, incapable of supporting crops and perilously close to the ocean, THE SEA WALL tells the compelling story of one mother's fight to protect her family - Joseph (Gaspard Ulliel, THE VINTER'S LUCK, HANNIBAL RISING, A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT) and Suzanne (Astrid Berges-Frisbey) - from destitution at the hands of a corrupt administration. Battling both the colonial bureaucrats and nature itself, she enlists the help of the local villagers, putting into place an elaborate scheme: building a dam against the sea to secure the future of both her family and the local community. “Isabelle Huppert shines” THE TIMES “glossy… robust and enjoyable storytelling.” Peter Bradshaw, THE GUARDIAN “Affectionate and sumptuously shot… Huppert LITTLE WHITE LIES is simply stunning” “Lush and steamy… captivatingly complex performance” METRO OFFICIAL SELECTION – Toronto Film Festival 2008 OFFICIAL SELECTION – Rome Film Festival 2008 Bonus Features: • Cinémoi interviews with director Rithy Panh and star Isabelle Huppert • Stills gallery and trailer Certificate: 12 Running Time: 111 minutes Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 anamorphic Audio: Dolby Stereo and optional 5.1 Country: France Language: French with optional English subtitles Genre: Drama Region: 2 Cat. No: AXM590 Barcode: 5060126870418