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Merci La Vie
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Synopsis
In this frequently surrealistic romp, a satire on sex, politics, and the business of filmmaking, two young women get together after discovering sufficient provocations in their lives to deliberately set out to wreak havoc in the world around them. Joelle (Anouk Grinberg) has just been thrown out of a moving car by her abusive man-friend, when Camille (Charlotte Gainsbourg) encounters her. Joelle's bitter exclamation Merci la Vie, or "thank you, life" echoes something of Camille's feelings, and the two decide to go on a rampage, picking up and seducing numerous men and then doing things like destroying their cars. Eventually, they set their sights on a "higher" goal and decide to do in an entire town. Meanwhile, it becomes evident that a sinister medical researcher, Dr. Worms (Gérard Depardieu), has infected promiscuous Joelle with a sexually transmitted disease he invented for the sole purpose of becoming the man who finds its cure, which he hopes will make him beloved, famous and rich. At some point, an elaborate series of flashbacks enter the story, and in one sequence, Camille attempts to persuade her feuding parents to get back together long enough to conceive her. Reviewers noted that logic is not a strong point in this film, but they found its fast pace and bright performances vastly entertaining. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

Cast

Didier Benureau 2nd Film Director
Michel Blanc Father (young)
Jean Carmet Father (old)
Charlotte Gainsbourg Camille
Annie Girardot Mother (old)
Catherine Jacob Mother (young)
Francois Perrot Maurice
Jean-Louis Trintignant SS Officer
Gérard Depardieu Doctor Worms
Christiane Jean Wife of Marc-Antoine
Thierry Frémont Francois
Anouk Grinberg Joelle

Production Crew

Frédéric Auburtin Assistant Director
Hiromi Rollin Assistant Director
Luc Goldenberg Assistant Director
Philippe Chapus Assistant Director
Philippe Rousselot Cinematographer
David Byrne Composer (Music Score)
Jacques Brel Composer (Music Score)
Marie Thumas Composer (Music Score)
Philip Glass Composer (Music Score)
Jacqueline Bouchard Costume Designer
Bertrand Blier Director
Claudine Merlin Editor
Bernard Marescot Executive Producer
Antonio Vivaldi Featured Music
Arno Featured Music
François-Adrien Boieldieu Featured Music
Fryderyc Chopin Featured Music
Giacomo Puccini Featured Music
György Ligeti Featured Music
Ludwig van Beethoven Featured Music
Joel Lavau Makeup
Théo Meurisse Production Designer
Bernard Marescot Production Director
Bertrand Blier Screenwriter
Pierre Gamet Sound/Sound Designer
Georges Demetreau Special Effects
Philippe Hubin Special Effects
Raph Salis Special Effects
Year: 1991
Runtime: 117
Country: France
MPAA Rating:
Category: Feature

Genre
Comedy

Color type
Eastmancolor

Produced by
A2
Canal +
Cine Valse
DD Productions
Film Par Film
Orly Films
SEDIF
Societe d'Exploitation ed de Distribution de Films

Release
March 13, 1991 (France)
by AMLF