JAPPELOUP

France, 2013, 130 minutes, Colour.

Guillaume Canet, Marina Hands, Daniel Auteuil, Lou de Laage, Tcheky Karyo, Jacques Higelin, Marie Bunuel.
Directed by Christian Duguay.

This is a film aimed specifically at the French audience. Many will know the horse concerned, jockeys and trainers, the competitions, European Cups, the 1984 Olympics, 1988. For non-French audiences, it will be of interest but will not have the same emotional impact as, for instance, Secretariat, Seabiscuit.

The title of the film refers to the horse and there is a focus on the horse, young then mature, training, owners, bonds with riders.

The film also has a strong cast, led by Guillaume Canet as rider, Pierre Durand, bonding with the horse, but having difficulties with his father, played by Daniel Auteuil, supported by his mother, Marie Bunel, leaving the horse behind and going into work in an office. However, he is later persuaded to return to riding, especially influenced by Nadia (Marina Hands), who bonded with him when they were young. The latter part of the film shows his training, his determination to win, overcoming barriers, especially in his own psychology and attitudes. The climax of the film is at the Olympics, 1984, 1988. Tcheky Karyo plays the trainer, often clashing with Pierre.

The director is Canadian, has directed a lot of action films but also some films with humane sensitivity, especially in the Belle and Sebastien series.

1. A racing story? Forces? Dressage? Competition?

2. A French story, a champion French horse, writers and performers, training, success and failure, European Cups, 1984 Olympics, triumph in 1988?

3. The title, the focus on the horse, its birth, Dalio and his wanting it for his daughter, her failure with the horse, Serge and his interest, Pierre and taking it over, Raphaella and the training, Nadia and the writing in support, Pierre and his writing, training, not caring for the horse as much as he should, in competition, in crisis situations, especially the fire in the van, the ultimate achievement?

4. The Durand and family, Serge and his forces, training, the support of his wife? Pierre, his ability to ride, falling but getting on the horse again? Growing up, deciding to study law, his work? Returning after some years, the expectations of his father? Encountering Raphaella, Dalio, the horse? Nadia writing? Falling in love with Nadia, marriage, the birth? Father?

5. His returning to riding, his skills, the competitions, failing, not hearing the bell and being disqualified, his tantrum? The interactions with Raphaella and her dissatisfaction with his riding and treatment of the horse? In competition, successes and failures? The coach and the clashes with him?

6. The preparation for the 1984 Olympics, coach, achievement, but failure?

7. Pierre, the death of his father and its effect? The continued support of his mother? Nadia?

8. In the French team, the criticisms of the coach, his personality, techniques? Going out on his own, the request an interview for winegrowers support and sponsorship?

9. The coach giving up? Pierre’s antagonism towards the coach’s son and the bad measurement in the competition? Reflecting on the French team?

10. The new coach, Pierre going back on the French team, the preparation for the 1988 Olympics? The episode with the fire in the van, the horse and its panic, Pierre soothing it?

11. The dramatic buildup of the film, everybody in support, Pierre’s performance, the achievement, the medal, support?

12. The popularity of this kind of sporting film, animal achievement, human achievement?