SPOTLIGHT FILMS: The Intouchables
By Contributor
Seldom has someone in the audience stand up to promote a film as upcoming films were being announced at one of Spotlight’s showings, but that is just what happened when they announced French film The Intouchables. The individual had seen the film and stated quite clearly how moving it was and that she strongly recommends it.
After he becomes a quadriplegic from a paragliding accident, an aristocrat, Phillippe (Francois Cluvet , The Art of Love) hires a young man, Driss (Omar Sy, “Samurai”, ) from the projects, a poor and working class district, to be his caretaker.
When Driss, a young offender, shows up for the interview for the position of Phillippe’s caregiver he isn’t really looking to get the job. To his surprise, and the surprise of his assistant Magalie (Audrey Fleurot, The Women on the 6th Floor), Phillippe choses him, he is genuine and unsympathetic. The two men gradually form a very close friendship, and both their lives are changed.
This comedy/ drama, inspired by the actual story of Phillippe Pozzo di Borgo and his caregiver, Abdel Sellou, written and directed by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano, has been nominated for 13 awards and has won seven ( as of the date of the synopsis information). The awards include best actor for both Cluvet and Sy at the Cesar Awards and audience awards for for Nakache and Toledano at the European Film awards.
The Intouchables is sub-titled (you are now forewarned) but the effort will reap rewards. The film will be shown on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Gem Theatre in Grand Forks.
Spotlight films would like to thank its sponsors and supporters.
