L’AUBERGE ESPAGNOLE

 

Comedy/Drama • France, 2002

35 mm • 1.85 • Dolby DTS • Color • 122 min  

 

Directed by: Cédric Klapisch

Written by: Cédric Klapisch

Cinematography: Dominique Colin

Film Editing: Francine Sandberg  

Original Score: Loïk Dury

Produced by: Bruno Levy (Ce Qui Me Meut)

Coproduced by: Mate Productions

Cast: Romain Duris (Xavier), Judith Godrèche (Anne-Sophie), Audrey Tautou (Martine), Cécile De France (Isabelle)

International Sales: Wild Bunch

U.S. Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures

 

With the hopes of landing an EU administrative job, French student Xavier moves to an apartment in Barcelona to improve his Spanish. But instead of lessons in economics, Xavier finds himself in a hilarious hotbed of international coeds all eager for new experiences, especially of the romantic variety. Bursting with zeitgeist optimism for the new Europe, L’Auberge Espagnole charmed audiences the world over. Cédric Klapisch received César nominations for directing, writing, and Best Film. This comedy classic is also known for catapulting the careers Cécile De France and Romain Duris. For her performance as Isabelle, Xavier’s lesbian friend and erstwhile sex-instructor, De France was honored with the Best Newcomer César. COLCOA is pleased to screen this film in conjunction with Chinese Puzzle, the latest chapter in the story of Xavier & Co.

 

Often working on several films at once, writer/director Cédric Klapisch began writing L’Auberge Espagnole to keep himself busy after the production of Not for, or Against (Quite the Contrary) (2003) was delayed. He shot the film quickly, using a digital camera, and for many, it captured the new spirit of European cooperation and camaraderie in 2002, the year most European currencies were replaced by the Euro. Klapisch is noted for his “stable” of actors, and has made multiple films with Romain Duris and Fabrice Luchini, among others. He has made eleven features starting with Riens du tout in 1992, and received a Best Screenplay César, along with co-writers Agnès Jaoui and Jean-Pierre Bacri, for his film Family Resemblances (1996).

 

 “Blissfully funny, terrifically intelligent and tender when you least expect it to be.”

- Joe Morgenstern, WALL STREET JOURNAL

 

“It energetically captures the frenzied pace of contemporary existence, the complexities of life in a multicultural world, the rootless joys of living in a foreign city and the heady world of possibilities one envisions while in college.”

- Claudia Puig, USA TODAY