Every day, AlloCiné recommends a film to (re)watch on TV. Tonight: the 2019 Alice Guy Prize.
It was on the advice of her producer Elisabeth Perez that Catherine Corsini looked into the novel. An impossible love, written by Christine Angot. If the breadth of the subject scares her – it indeed addresses themes of destructive passion, incest and mother-daughter relationships – Rachel, the main female character, both strong and modest, fascinates her.
Alongside Laurette Polmanss and with the approval of the original author, Catherine Corsini therefore adapts this novel for the cinema. But at the time of writing, the director had no actress in mind to carry the film – and even less Virginie Efira, whom she had never seen play.
Catherine Corsini finally meets her at a festival, where the actress presents the film Victoria, of which she is the headliner, and is seduced by her intelligence.
For her part, encouraged by the success of Victoria, Virginie Efira decides to directly contact the filmmakers with whom she wishes to work. She therefore insisted on Catherine Corsini to obtain the role of Rachel.
An alignment of the planets which offers Virginie Efira one of her most beautiful roles. As a courageous mother torn by the feeling of love and suffering, she delivers a “solar interpretation” (The Parisian), “dignified and sober as ever” (BIBA), which “totally upsets us” (Tele 2 Semaines). Her performance was also recognized by a nomination for the César for Best Actress.
An Impossible Love by Catherine Corsini with Virginie Efira, Niels Schneider, Iliana Zabeth…
Tonight on Arte at 8:55 p.m.