LA VILLA/ THE HOUSE BY THE SEA

France, 2017, 107 minutes, Colour.
Ariane Ascaride, Jean- Pierre Darrousin, Gerard Meylan, Jacques Boudet, Anais Demoustier, Robinson Stevenin, Yann Tregouet, Genevieve Mnich, Fred Ulysses.
Directed by Robert Guediguian.

Over the decades, Marseilles based director, Robert Guedigian, has made quite a number of fine humane dramas, generally contemporary, but sometimes going back into the experience of World War II.

And, over the decades, he has worked with his wife, Ariane Ascaride, and actors Jean- Pierre Darrousin and Gerard Meylan. They are central here as well.

The film focuses on an elderly man, living in a villa, about to die. His three children come to visit him, some living nearby and continuing his work, his daughter not having been in contact for years. This is a drama of past relationships, animosity, misunderstandings, possibilities for reconciliation.

There is also with his sympathetic woman and a young man with his parents, neighbours to the Villa. There is a great deal of sadness in this aspect of the film.

The film creates quite an atmosphere, has striking performances – and it once again, a fine Guedigian film exploring human nature and relationships.

1. The work of the director? His humane themes over several decades? His working with his wife and the familiar cast?

2. Marseilles and its environs, the settings for his films? Life, characters, interactions?

3. The title, the visualising of the Villa, exteriors, the interiors, by the sea? The musical score?

4. The old man, father, at the Villa, his relaxing, his turn, illness, need for care?

5. His relationship with his children, their coming to the house? The character of Armand, his age, with his father, working the restaurant? Joseph, his labour work, memories? His bringing Berangere? His relationship with her? Angele, not home for 20 years, her husband, the death of her daughter? Her acting career, her bitterness? Coming only for the legal matters?

6. The details of the reunion, each of the siblings, their characters, age, qualities, flaws, interactions? With their father? The effect on him, the subsequent plans? The impact of his death?

7. The neighbour, the young man and his work, busy, visiting his parents, bonds with them? Their age, genial characters, the discussions, financial difficulties? Their suicides, leaving the note? Berangere and her bond with the young man? Her help?

8. Berangere, presence, situation, with Joseph, with the young man, leaving, her decisions?

9. The fisherman, Benjamin, his place in the town, his infatuation with Angele, memories of her performances, the Brecht play? In love with her, imposing himself, her going to visit, her reaction, the sexual encounter?

10. The soldier, the concern about refugees? Discovering the children in the woods? Bringing them back to the house, caring for them? The soldier and his return, the concealing the children, fostering them? The director and his continued emphasis on social concern?

11. The death and its impact? The three and their bonds, the final discussions – and their future?