Intimité
France
Synopsis
A man and a woman. Jay and Claire. Every Wednesday afternoon she visits him for just one reason – sex.Without saying a word to each other they surrender up to their passion and f***, while outside, a taxi waits. Once a week,
on a Wednesday.They arrive, they undress.They always feel a little awkward afterwards but even then, they have nothing to say to each other. She gets dressed and leaves.
A while ago, Jay left his wife and children. Just like that, without any warning or explanation. Now he’s living alone in a fairly tatty-looking apartment. When Claire comes he shows her to the basement. It’s unfurnished except for a couple of blankets and sheets lying on the dirty ground. It’s a room where everything and anything might be allowed.
Jay knows nothing about Claire. He doesn’t know who she is, nor where she comes from. One day, he decides to find out. After one of their trysts he decides to follow Claire. She disappears into a tiny suburban theatre. He discovers that she is an actress currently appearing here in Tennessee William’s play “The Glass Menagerie”. Jay also finds out that she has a husband and a son. Her husband’s name is Andy and he’s a rather loquacious taxi driver. Jay befriends him.
From this moment on, Claire stops coming to his apartment. Jay becomes uneasy and resorts to a foolhardy plan.
on a Wednesday.They arrive, they undress.They always feel a little awkward afterwards but even then, they have nothing to say to each other. She gets dressed and leaves.
A while ago, Jay left his wife and children. Just like that, without any warning or explanation. Now he’s living alone in a fairly tatty-looking apartment. When Claire comes he shows her to the basement. It’s unfurnished except for a couple of blankets and sheets lying on the dirty ground. It’s a room where everything and anything might be allowed.
Jay knows nothing about Claire. He doesn’t know who she is, nor where she comes from. One day, he decides to find out. After one of their trysts he decides to follow Claire. She disappears into a tiny suburban theatre. He discovers that she is an actress currently appearing here in Tennessee William’s play “The Glass Menagerie”. Jay also finds out that she has a husband and a son. Her husband’s name is Andy and he’s a rather loquacious taxi driver. Jay befriends him.
From this moment on, Claire stops coming to his apartment. Jay becomes uneasy and resorts to a foolhardy plan.
Director's Statement
"Many questions suddenly come to us: Who are they? What do they want and how are they going to manage to go on? At what stage does love take part in their 'loving game'"?
Patrice Chereau
Cast & Crew
Directed by: Patrice Chéreau
Written by: Anne-Louise Trividiv, Patrice Chéreau
Produced by: Jacques Hinstin, Patrick Cassavetti
Cinematography: Eric Gautier
Editing: François Gédigier
Production Design: Hayden Griffin
Costume Design: Caroline de Vivaise
Make-Up & Hair: Ivana Primorac
Original Score: Eric Neveux
Cast: Philippe Calvario (Ian), Mark Rylance (Jay), Kerry Fox (Claire), Timothy Spall (Andy)
Nominations and Awards
- People's Choice Award 2001
- European Film 2001
- European Cinematographer – Prix Carlo Di Palma 2001
- Feature Film Selection 2001