JUSTOCOEUR

Canada, 1980, 94 minutes, Colour.
Corinne Lanselle, Michel Voletti, Michel Rocher, Matthieu Carriere.
Directed by Mary Stephen.

The writing and directing debut of Mary Stephen. It is a Canadian film with. a focus on Paris and Canada. It shows four allegedly Beautiful People. Their involvements in depth and in superficiality are explored. The value of the film is in the sketching in of atmosphere and the delineation of characters in their artificial interrelationships.

1. The impact of the film? Its quality as a film maker's debut? The aspects of society it intends to portray, satirize? Its portrait of four persons within this artificial society? Themes of interrelationships, testing of values? Fidelity and commitment? A feminine sensibility in the perception of these themes?

2. Paris and references to England and America? The use of Paris? Paris as the world of Beautiful People?

3. Colour photography, interiors and exteriors, the importance of colour and design? Editing and pace - especially for special effects with music? Dancing and choreography?

4. The development of the screenplay: the introduction to the two characters, the dancing, the slashing? The doctor and the talk? The contrast of the characters? The importance of the truth and the capacity for listening? The girl/child theory? The interplay of the characters?

5. The importance of dance - African background, Selena and her skill, rehearsals, moods, the performances? Being left with dance?

6. The character of Selena: in herself, African background, Paul, growing away from him, Cass and jealousy? Gabriel? friend, fascination? Devices for showing their relationship? Seduction? The enjoyment of company? The birthday, the kiss, spying, disappointment? The build-up to the threesome? Hector and the trips and letters? Growing dependence? The scenes, the outings, the drinking? The nights and the memories? The dance, the drum? Suicide?

7. Paul and the focus on his character? Being at the centre of events and then moving away? His relationship to each of the other characters? The emphasis on his work?

8. The contrast with Gabriel: in himself, art, homosexuality? The African background? The character of his room? Paul and London? Cass? Hector? Selena and the fascination? Capacity for love, tenderness? His erratic behaviour, outings, being away? His achievement, failure?

9. The summary with the puppet, the puppet theme, the need to be needed, dance and excitement?

10. The sketch of Cass, of Hector and the entourage?

11. The beautiful and pretty people? The depth and shallowness of their lives? Occupations? Skills and talents? How closely observed? How perceptively? Audience identification with the characters? Lack of interest in them?

12. The purpose of the film? portraiture, exploration of love, dependence, security, power, hurt and violence?