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Show RED Magazine The Light Side of Death in lThe Barbarian Invasions1 "The Barbarian Invasions" Miramax Films Written and directed by Denys Arcand Produced by Daniel Louis and Denise Robert Starring Remy Cirard, Stephan Rousseau, Dorothee Berryman, Louise Portal, Dominique Michel, Yves Jacques, Pierre Curzi, Marie Josee Croze, Marina Hands, Toni Cecchinato, Mitsou Celinas and Johanne-Mari- e Tremblay In French with English subtitles Rated (out offour) I t. i v J is - Jeremy Mathews v 1 A uebecois writerdirector Denys Arcand realizes that a film can be much more poignant if it has a sense of cynicism. The emotions of his new work, "The Barbarian Invasions," catch you because you don't expect such strong feelings to come out of a smart, funny film about a man who lived recklessly. The film portrays what's likely a very uncommon way to die, in which a lovable yet unreliable man manages to find forgiveness and acceptance from his friends and family for his various misgivings. If Arcand is a bit too romantic in communicating his thoughts on death, it's because a film would become stagnant and preten- Friday I Opening at the Broadway by K7 i - R QQQ j S.I. in The Chronicle iveiry r February 26, 2004 d tious. The dying man is Remy (Remy Girard), the same opinionated, womanizing professor from Arcand's 1986 film "The Decline of the American Empire," now in his 50s. While the film stands perfectly well on its own, the revisiting of Remy and intellectuals creates his fellow the feeling of catching up with old friends. Remy faces death at a time when he sees civilization in decline, as people forget all the great writers of earlier centuries. No one much cares about preserving his library or his work. Remy's son, Sebastien (Stephane Rousseau), is a successful and wealthy businessman in England, much to his father's chagrin. He could have at least read one book, Remy comments disdainfully. Still, Sebastien flies to Montreal when he hears of his father's illness. His mother and Remy's ex wife, Louise (Dorothee Berryman), encourages him because she's taken to wine-drinkin- left-win- g I looking after Remy despite his frequent past is cheating, believing that her still, in a sense, her man. Sebastien doesn't understand or really know his father, but he wants to make his final days easier. So he calls up Remy's friends from "The Decline of the American Empire" to fly in to be with his father until I ! i 1 1 II B I D r 1 Denys Arcand's "The Barbarian Invasions" reunites the cast of his 1987 film "The Decline of the American Empire" and also includes some promising young actors. said about corporate globalization, there are more comments on the intellectual circles in the film. The Canadian health-car- e system, for example, is a bit of a mess, but Remy insists on using the system that he fought for when his son tries to bring him to the United States for treatment. This doesn't stop Sebastien, however, from beating the poor hospital care with some clever bribery that gets Remy a private room on an abandoned floor. Sebastien 's other antics include a very funny attempt to buy illegal drugs for his father he goes to a police station and asks where he can find some. Diane's estranged, addicted daughter Nathalie (Marie-Jose- e Croze), however, is able to help out and also reaches out to Sebastien from her grittier he dies. Pierre (Pierre Curzi) has married a beautiful woman younger, (Mitsou Gelinas), and breaks the ice by raving about it before any of his friends can make smart-as- s comments. He's proud of Claude (Yves Jacques) a new family. starting combines wisecracks, sexual innuendoes and scientific hypotheses (including one on Pierre's wife's breasts: "The quantity of blood needed to just irrigate it all must drain the brains out") Diane (Louise Portal), one of Remy's old mistresses, asks how "the old sex maniac" is when she arrives, but is also distraught over her daughter, who's addicted to drugs. Another of Remy's mistresses, Dominique (Dominique Michel) also returns. Reunited, the old friends engage in ers' expense. Remy, for example, has made many mistakes in his quest for supreme happiness, but his friends still want him to die happy and without regrets. They talk about history, progress and his life and he complains about all of them, but finds happiness in his 1 D D i . HEY UNIVERSITY OF UTAH!! Join us at the COMED CONNECTION an evening to network, eat, laugh and enjoy! students, staff and faculty welcome! Wednesday, March 3rd, 2004 6:00PM in the Union Panorama Room Comedians: of Ail U U Fiye, Edwin San Juan, Felipe Esparza have appeared on BETs Comic View, Galavision's "Que Logos!", NBC and CBS. All What a deal! $5includes dinner and (cost Tickets available at 234 Union, 801-581-27- show) ASUU: 83 aca-dem- friends. While the characters believe deeply in political ideals, Arcand treats both sides with skepticism. While negative things are VS ARE - ..and here's what's coming this week. world. Croze won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival (where Arcand also won for Best Screenplay) with her honest depiction of an emotionally torn woman doing her best to find freedom and humanity by helping Sebastien and his father, both of whom are worlds away from her. She and Sebastien find an unexpected harmony with one another. The other major bridge built in the film is that between the old and the young. As Remy's character passes, the film creates an arc with his son. The new world of global corporations and big business, seen in Sebastien, is conquering the world of and philosophy. But maybe, the film wishfully dreams, the two might be able to reach a level of understanding. thoughtful conversation with witty insight and bawdy jokes. The dialogue isn't based on the plot, but on life and how it is and should be lived. Despite their various character flaws, these people are quite charming, and their flaws are admirable ones for no other reason than that they've lived fully enjoyable lives, although sometimes at oth- X Limited seating! Adu!t dialog, may not be suitable for children. Vegetarian Meals available upon request. jeremyred-mag.co- Ay S UlSllOOl justice leitQiliO TlluSG Olio Giuo The Eortli A Uoioe Join Amnesty International, the Shudahai Network and the Western Shoshone Defense Protect for a tree screening of the film "To Defend Mother Earth", narrated by Robert Redford. A public discussion will conclude the event with leaders of western inosnone Indian communities inreawnea oy tne nyuts puiuvs lit me Kjivai Ddwf. yovvinifieni s u 1 W Lr rTi I ipics include violations of Indigenous rights, and related impacts of America 's own weaoons of mass destniction and other dana&rvus military and industrial programs Saturday, February 28th, University of Utah Orson Spencer Hal! Auditorium For more information, call or on the web www shunclahai.org Industry pros built ' our program are you ready to learn from the best? f fx si . ! I 3 t produce 2D and 3D art for characters, models, textures, animation, environments and more. c i : 10 Li'tredilvdy, knowledge and skill to create game levels that engage, excite and intrigue the most savvy players. i team to design; Gcvclopdoctiment and implement the advanced engines and code that drive the best games. 5 I I - ft CX j v:1 r 1 1 I COPY - A-- Ai I |
