Rent Frantz (2016)
3.8 of 5 from 289 ratings
1h 50min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
In a small German town in 1919, Anna (Paula Beer) repeatedly visits the grave of her fiance, Frantz (Anton von Lucke), who was killed in battle during World War I. One day she spies a mysterious young Frenchman Adrien (Pierre Niney), also laying flowers at the grave. She enquires about his business there and he explains he was a friend of Frantz. The pair become increasingly close and Anna becomes more and more intrigued by Adrien's history with her fiance. Long buried secrets are revealed that will illuminate unknown areas of their past lives and impact their future ones in a wearied and battle-scarred Europe. At once graceful and gripping, 'Frantz' is an intimate and timely exploration of healing and forgiveness across European borders. - Actors:
- Pierre Niney, Paula Beer, Ernst Stötzner, Marie Gruber, Johann von Bülow, Anton von Lucke, Cyrielle Clair, Alice de Lencquesaing, Axel Wandtke, Rainer Egger, Rainer Silberschneider, Merlin Rose, Ralf Dittrich, Michael Witte, Lutz Blochberger, Jeanne Ferron, Torsten Michaelis, Étienne Ménard, Claire Martin, Camille Grandville
- Directors:
- François Ozon
- Producers:
- Eric Altmayer, Nicolas Altmayer, Stefan Arndt, Uwe Schott
- Writers:
- François Ozon, Philippe Piazzo, Ernst Lubitsch, Reginald Berkeley, Samson Raphaelson, Ernest Vajda, Maurice Rostand
- Studio:
- Curzon / Artificial Eye
- Genres:
- Drama
- Collections:
- Cinema and the First World War, Drama Films & TV, The Instant Expert's Guide to François Ozon
- Awards:
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 10/07/2017
- Run Time:
- 115 minutes
- Languages:
- French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French LPCM Stereo, German DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, German LPCM Stereo
- Subtitles:
- English
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 2.35:1
- Colour:
- Colour and B & W
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Lights and Costumes Testing
- 'Frantz' in Venice Featurette
- Posters Featurette
- Deleted Scenes
- Trailer
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Reviews (9) of Frantz
Beautiful and well told story - Frantz review by RD
This covers the awkward topics of French and German national identity right after the first world war, along with the trauma of the soldiers and the bereavement problems of the families on both sides. This is a lot to pack into one film, and it is incredibly well written into a moving and well paced story, superbly acted by all, and stunningly filmed with an imaginative choice of black & white merging into colour at the right moments. An excellent and very watchable film.
4 out of 5 members found this review helpful.
Ingmar Bergman in colour - Frantz review by CA
This is a beautifully photographed and absorbing film. Some of it is in black and white but it doesn't have the austerity of a Bergman film and some of it is in colour. Fairly early on you realise where the film is going but this doesn't spoil your enjoyment. In many ways it is a very conventional film but still compelling to watch - so glad films like this are still being made: it's the opposite of a blockbuster.
4 out of 4 members found this review helpful.
THE EMOTIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE PIECE - Frantz review by CH
Pause, and one realises that anybody who worked on, say, Casablanca or The Third Man could screen in their minds a film different from the one familiar to us. That is, they saw the colours of sets and clothing. Not that this is to crave “colorising” (the vogue for which appears to have passed). Such films were designed with their splendid black-and-white imagery to the fore.
Similar has been done with Ozon's Frantz (2016), most of which is set in 1919 and appears to us in black and white. It appears in keeping with a small German town where much of the events turn around a graveyard, apparently the last spot for a soldier killed in the war. The plot is simple - and complex. To say more would spoil it, as would any discussion of the graveyard in The Third Man.
In grief for the soldier, her fiancé, Paula Beer visits the grave as usual and is surprised to find flowers on it. They have been put there by a visiting Frenchman (Pierre Niney). Discussion ensues, and is welcome - not least because it distracts from a tedious man who is pursing her with an eye on marriage.
The film is a marvel to watch, its rhythm finely paced to bring out all the conflicts within and between the characters (including her parents), so much so that the small town smoulders.
Only one thing is missing. Lubitsch's 1932 film Broken Lullaby, from a play by Maurice Rostand. It is currently unavailable. Whoever has the rights in it would surely do well, for those who enjoy Frantz will want to seek out its inspiration.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.