Emmanuelle Béart in "Les Témoins" [2007 France]

Director of repute André Téchiné's "Les Témoins" [Eng. Title: The Witnesses] may not be his finest film, but it still oozes his customary class. The film is intelligently written and meticulously crafted, be it the direction, photography, sound, editing, acting, or the casting - it is an inspired choice indeed to have chosen Emmanuelle Béart to play the part of Sarah, a children's book author who isn't particularly fond of children - she's an ambivalent mother herself.

Set in the early 80's when the world woke up to a new reality called AIDS, the film's narrative is given by Sarah as she writes the story of Manu, a young gay lad recently arrived in Paris, one who acquaints himself with her family through her best friend - a doctor who's gay himself. The narrative follows Manu's life as he becomes ones of the early casualties of the dreaded disease. The characterisations are quite unconventional, but Téchiné handles them delicately enough to ensure it doesn't look like a gimmick. He stays honest to his intentions which is to explore happiness and love from different perspectives, and allows the viewer to draw his own conclusions. Needless to say, Highly Recommended Viewing..!




Compilation: Emmanuelle Béart and Julie Depardieu
The scenes here are mostly of Sarah, played by Emmanuelle Béart, except for one of Manu's sister Julie, played by the fine actress Julie Depardieu.



Scene Guide:

• Sarah admits to police officer-husband Medi her desire to have some time away from the baby. He tells her off, but they make up soon after.
• Brief scene of Julie with brother Manu - he's staying in her flat until he could find his feet in Paris. Julie tells Manu that his nakedness doesn't bother her, but is concerned of him ogling at her every morning. He admits he's only curious as he's not had the opportunity to see women in the nude.
• Medi watches Sarah in the shower, and asks her out of the blue if she's had any affairs since they got married. She matter-of-factly admits that she sees her editor now and again. She also tells him that she knew he might also be having the odd fling, but is nevertheless confident of his love for her.
• Medi finds it hard to perform with a condom - when Sarah asks him why he's using them all of a sudden, he tells his shocked wife that he's waiting for some test results, until which it is best to be on the safe.side. He makes his apologies and leaves.
• After the tests turn out negative, a relieved Medi returns home and asks Sarah whether she'd still like to have him around. The scene is actually beautifully written and executed.

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