Last Screening (Derniere seance)

An Epicentre Films discharge of a L'ensemble des Films du Worso, Dragon 8, Mikros Image, Arane Prods. production, using the participation of Canal Plus, Cinecinema, and also the support from the Region of Burgundy and also the Film Commission of Burgundy. (Worldwide sales: L'ensemble des Films du Losange, Paris.) Created by Sylvie Pialat. Executive producer, Benoit Quainon. Directed by Laurent Achard. Script, Achard, Frederique Moreau.With: Pascal Cervo, Charlotte now van Kemmel, Karole Rocher, Austin Morel, Brigitte Sy, Mireille Roussel, Corinne Lamborot, Noel Simsolo, Francine Lorin-Blasquez, Nicolas Pignon.It's telling that noted French film critic, helmer and part-time thesp Noel Simsolo includes a small role in "Last Screening," because helmer Laurent Achard's third feature plays just like a private joke best shared among movie buffs. On the face a mental thriller in regards to a cinema projectionist-cum-serial-killer who's greater than a couple of reels lacking a complete feature, pic self-satisfyingly riffs on "Psycho" and "Peeping Tom," among many more, but is ultimately nothing more than a proficient but empty formalist exercise, lacking from the genuine feeling that distinguished Achard's previous, "Demented." Further fest play looks likely, in addition to a niche domestic release. Creepy loner Sylvain (Achard regular Pascal Cervo) lives within the basement of the small Parisian repertory house, where he is doing virtually every job from selling the tickets and projecting the film to washing the seats after, although lucky for him, it isn't the kind of place that sells popcorn. Actually, the joint shows just one movie every single day, Jean Renoir's "French Cancan" (1954), to a number of loyal clients, for example Monsieur Paul (Simsolo) and pretty ambitious thesp Manon (Charlotte now van Kemmel), who's sweet on Sylvain. The cinema's owner (Nicolas Pignon) intends to sell the area, that will leave Sylvain not just unemployed and destitute, however with nowhere to show his secret gallery of movie-star headshots, that he affixes human ears, ear-rings incorporated, gathered from women he stabs to dying throughout his after-hrs walks round the city. Sufferers incorporate a majorette (Corinne Lamborot), an industry-stall saleswoman (Mireille Roussel) along with a kind-hearted taxi driver (Brigitte Sy), amongst others. Heavy-handed flashbacks reveal Sylvain's psychosis comes from a distressing upbringing with a loopy mother (Karole Rocher, "Polisse"), who had been herself enthusiastic about films and would hit Sylvain growing up (performed by Austin Morel) if he didn't remember lines of dialogue she forced him to commit to memory, apparently for auditions. Maman Dearest's actions have apparently forged the monster we meet, even though pic is not any interested in psychology than in realism, given how implausibly lengthy Sylvain's murder spree continues without consequence. Because he shown with "Demented," helmer/co-author Achard includes a fondness for locating madness wriggling under quotidian, apparently harmless rocks, and it is good at pushing lengthy, slow shots for suspense. There's without doubt concerning the high excellence of the technique displayed here, in the wink-wink key lighting towards the symphonic utilization of source seem. However, the fabric is really naturally silly the style that it's performed eventually ends up searching meretricious and facile. Having a fierce, maniacal stare as well as an capability to look unsettling when you are performing simply standing still, Cervo once more proves a remarkable presence who nearly handles in order to save the film. Other people from the ensemble also submit good, standard perfs, with individuals playing Sylvain's sufferers particularly meriting praise for creating singularly harrowing screams of discomfort in the appropriate moments.Camera (color), Sabine Lancelin editor, Jean-Christophe Hym production designers, Frederic Lapierre, Frederique Lapierre costume designer, Benedicte Levraut seem (Dolby Digital), Xavier Griette supervisory seem editor/re-recording mixer, Mikael Barre assistant director, Pierre Senelas casting, Francois Guignard. Examined at Locarno Film Festival (competing), August. 9, 2011. Running time: 81 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com