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2008 Festival Feature Films (March 28-30)

French director Sam Karmann presents La Vérité ou presque with American author Stephen McCauley and French actress and lyricist Catherine Olson

director Sam Karmann screenplay Sam Karmann, Jérôme Beaujour based on the novel True Enough by Stephen McCauley, published by Washington Square Press producers Jean-Philippe Andraca, Christian Bérard starring André Dussollier, Karin Viard, François Cluzet, Sam Karmann running time 1 h 35 min although not rated, parental guidance suggested for viewers under 13

Synopsis

Anne is married to Thomas, who is attracted to Caroline, the young wife of Marc, the ex-husband of Anne, who herself has noticed the charms of Vincent, who is terribly jealous of Lucas. As for Rose-Marie, she knows that when desire comes knocking, it’s often deceit that answers the door.

And the truth in all this?

It’s that we can love forever, but not all the time. That’s true … enough.

A story of two people who couldn’t be more different, whom life and work unite by chance. One is a married woman, a TV show producer plagued by professional and sentimental doubts, the other a homosexual author of biographies on more or less forgotten artists, struggling with his latest work.

actor/director
Sam Karmann

author
Stephen McCauley

actress/lyricist
Catherine Olson

actor
André Dussollier

actress
Karin Viard

actor
François Cluzet

Comments by Sam Karmann

Some of the lines came from the book, others didn’t. While Jérôme took care of the psychology, the dramatic art of the script, I worked as an actor, which in any event I remain. I wanted it to be drafted, but playful, actable; the fewest possible words for the greatest possible meaning. And I wanted people to feel the humanity of the characters, whatever their faults or contradictions. Everyone can see themselves in the humanity of characters, a fundamental element to my mind.

I can also give some situations a tone more akin to comedy. Give it a little dose of cynicism, as is often the case in life. So no one is really nice or mean in this story. Even my character, theoretically beyond reproach, has a little dose of perversity, if you’re observant. As a viewer, I like it when the work isn’t cut out for me. I prefer decoding, an active role, like with a thriller. There’s no suspense here, although … The information is distilled, you’re meant to guess, things are revealed through a retort or a look.

Interview with André Dussollier (actor)

How would you define your character, the most honest of the bunch?
Vincent is closest to the truth because he overcame things he had to confront earlier than the others. He even talks about it when he explains that he was forced to admit his homosexuality at a rather young age, in an unfavorable environment. So he is the most authentic, the one who wears the fewest masks in life, not hesitating to say what he thinks. We feel he is calm, balanced, above his emotions, less vulnerable, and he becomes, in particular for Anne, a revelation, and for the others, a sounding board they can go to and, in some cases, reveal themselves to. Because the truth is attractive.

Interview with Karin Viard (actress)

Your character, Anne, seems like a fighter, which is true enough, given that she is also lost. How do you see her?
She knows where she’s going, had to fight to get where she is, had to sacrifice a lot to obtain this professional success. At the same time, she’s come to a difficult point in her personal life. She feels like a stranger in her own family, even to her child of whom she’s practically deprived; with a husband so perfect, who takes care of everything, who thinks he’s helping, but just stresses her out. Generally, all the characters are revealed through their interaction, like colors that appear gradually. They’re not exceptional, but are confronted with situations that make them touching in their vulnerability.