Declaration of War (film)
- Valérie Donzelli: Juliette
- Jérémie Elkaïm: Roméo Benaïm
- César Desseix: Adam Benaïm (18 months)
- Gabriel Elkaïm: Adam Benaïm (8 years)
- Brigitte Sy: Claudia Benaïm, Romeo's mother
- Elina Löwensohn: Alex, Claudia's Wife
- Michèle Moretti: Geneviève, Juliette's mother
- Philippe Laudenbach: Philippe, Juliette's father
- Bastien Bouillon: Nikos
- Béatrice De Staël: Dr. Ghislaine Prat
- Anne Le Ny: Dr. Fitoussi
- Frédéric Pierrot: Prof. Sainte-Rose
- Elisabeth Dion: Dr. Kalifa
- Marie Donzelli: Navy
- Claire Serieys: Clarisse
- Riad Sattouf: Cook
- Marie- Sohna Conde: friend of Juliette
- Laure Marsac: infant sister
- Lucia Sanchez: Nurseries Head
- Lecrivain Marion: Marion
- Emmanuel Salinger: Radiologist
- Jennifer Decker: girl at a party
Life is ours is a French film drama by Valérie Donzelli from the year 2011. It is based on true facts.
Action
Juliette and Roméo meet in a disco in Paris. It's love at first sight. Both have a son, whom they call Adam. Adam screams and cries a lot, but blame it on the parents a normal reaction. Later he vomits occasionally violent, often coughs, however, although unlike other children he can not walk yet, allowed to visit the nursery. The parents talk regularly with a doctor who finally noticed that Adam for a short time has an asymmetrical face. The bronchi are mucus, which would explain the cough, but worried the doctor the slight swelling of the face. She led an examination by a neurologist. This study will take place in Marseille, where Juliette has begun to work. On the recommendation of a friend they let the investigation by the specialist Dr. Fitoussi make. The MRI shows that Adam has a brain tumor. The diagnosis is a shock for the young couple and their respective parents are distraught. Juliette and Romeo decide to let Adam operating in Paris by Prof. Sainte-Rose.
The operation in Paris for nine hours, but runs well. Nevertheless, Prof. Sainte-Rose delivers the couple a piece of bad news: the tumor was malignant. The treatment must go on so, since a small part of the tumor could not be removed surgically. First, Juliette and Roméo try to continue their lives. They go out with friends, but increasingly careful with the couple. Even the parents of Juliette are not always a great help, Juliette's mother feared but always the worst. In fact, the chemotherapy in Adam strikes not as good as would be desirable. Further investigation revealed that it was the tumor is a rhabdoid tumor, which is particularly vicious. The chances of survival are only about ten percent. Adam will be moved to a germ-free station. Juliette and Roméo give their work to sell their apartment, which they can no longer afford, and move into an apartment parents of the hospital. Every day they visit their son and try to maintain their relationship. More than two years they live together so neglect their friends and eventually live apart. After several attempts to get back together, they break up for good, and start their own life.
Adam is finally eight years old and is in the third class. He loves math. Prof. Sainte-Rose can announce to the couple that Adam is healed - at least he now has exactly the same risk of developing cancer, like any other human being. Juliette and Roméo leave Adam with the hospital and go to the sea. Here they keep Adam in her arms, a little like before.
Production
Life is ours is an autobiographical film. It is based on the personal experiences of Valérie Donzelli and Jérémie Elkaïm who spend long hours were a couple and their son Gabriel, which is dedicated to the film, was seriously ill with cancer. Gabriel Elkaïm took over the role of the eight -year-old Adam in the movie. Donzelli and Elkaïm wrote the screenplay and took in the movie the main roles. Donzelli self directed. The film was shot with a small camera and with practically no additional light. In addition, Donzelli tried to turn all the scenes with little technical effort and in real rooms, so no studio atmosphere. Locations covered include the Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades in Paris, Hôpital de la Timone in the Marseille and the Institut Gustave Roussy in Val -de- Marne.
The film witnessed on 12 May 2011 at the International Film Festival in Cannes premiered and came on August 31, 2011 in the French cinema. As of April 26, 2012 he also ran in the German cinemas and appeared in the same year on DVD.
Criticism
The filmdienst decided that life is ours " despite the subject only in its infancy [ affected ] because he too stepped conjures as pop - drama affine great feelings and intense experiences of happiness as well as pain. " This film will tell " the reality of themed experiences of illness and anxiety [ ... ] completely over. " Der Spiegel called the film " a real, a moving piece of life."
Cinema compared the film because of the " diversity of stylistic means, d [ e] s Playful [ n] and de [n ] frequent mood change [ s ] " with works by François Truffaut and the Nouvelle Vague classics. The film was a " rousing [s ] cinema experience. Conclusion: Life is ours - two lovers triumph over death. Poignant and exhilarating! "
Awards
Life is ours was 2012 Oscar - France's contribution in the running for the award in the category Best Foreign Language Film, but was not shortlisted.
The film was nominated for six César Awards 2012: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress ( Valérie Donzelli ), Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing and Best Sound.
The film won an Étoile d' Or as well as the grand prize and the prices for Best Actor and Best Actress at the Gijón International Film Festival. On the Festival du film de Cabourg, the film received the Grand Prix.