François Damiens

CAST

JUST TO BE SURE (2017)
Starring François Damiens, Cécile De France, Alice De Lencquesaing, André Wilms, Guy Marchand, Estéban, Perrette Souplex, Aylin Mikaelian, Lyes Salem and Alban Aumard. Directed by Carine Tardieu.

When 45-year-old widower Erwan discovers by accident that that man who raised him isn’t his real father, he begins a search for his biological one. Thanks to a local private detective he soon locates the mischievous, 70-something Joseph, whom his mother knew briefly. Erwan soon falls not only for his charm, but that of the impetuous Anna (a radiant Cécile de France), who has ties to them both. But the conflicting loyalties become compounded by the pregnancy of his own daughter, who defiantly refuses to name the father... very soon Erwan’s families begin to collide, to unexpected, hilarious and moving effect.

REVIEWS Just To Be Sure - A baffling French film

THE DANCER (2017)
Starring Soko, Gaspard Ulliel, Mélanie Thierry, Lily-Rose Depp, Mélanie Thierry, François Damiens, Louis-Do De Lencquesaing and Amanda Plummer. Directed by Stéphanie Di Giusto and Stéphanie Di Giusto.

Nothing in her background destined Loïe Fuller (Soko), born in the American Midwest, to become the toast of the Belle Epoque cabarets – or to perform at the Paris Opera. Hidden behind metres of silk, her arms extended by long wooden rods, the athletic Fuller was able to reinvent her body on stage, enthralling her audiences every night with her revolutionary “Serpentine” dance.

Dazzling the capital, she became an icon, the blazing symbol of a generation. Eminent admirers fell to her feet: Toulouse-Lautrec, the Lumière Brothers, Rodin. Even if the physical effort risked destroying her back, even if the glare of the stage lights seared her eyes, she never faltered in the quest to perfect her art. But it was Loïe’s meeting with Isadora Duncan (Depp) – a beautiful young prodigy hungry for glory – that threatened everything: her stature, her confidence and her sanity.

THE BÉLIER FAMILY (2015)
Starring Louane Emera, FranÇois Damiens, Karin Viard and Eric Elmosnino. Directed by Eric Lartigau.

In the Beliér family, everyone is deaf, except dutiful sixteen-year-old Paula. She acts as an indispensible interpreter for her parents and younger brother, especially in the running of the family dairy farm.

Though her salt-of-the-earth father has decided to run for mayor - spurred on by her vivacious but over-involved mother, portrayed by the wonderful Karin Viard - Paula’s attentions are very much elsewhere. She’s witnessed the handsome new boy at school sign up for the choir, and impulsively joined too. It’s not long before her music teacher discovers her considerable talent, however his encouragement only exacerbates the matter of Paula’s independence...

REVIEWS The Bélier Family - Simple perfection

DELICACY (2012)
Starring Audrey Tautou, François Damiens, Bruno Todeschini, Mélanie Bernier, Joséphine De Meaux, Pio Marmaï, Monique Chaumette, Marc Citti, Alexandre Pavloff and Vittoria Scognamiglio. Directed by David Foenkinos and Stéphane Foenkinos.

REVIEWS Delicacy - A "love is blind" tale of second chances

A FRIENDLY TALE
Starring Bérénice Bejo, Vincent Cassel, Florence Foresti and François Damiens. Directed by Daniel Cohen.

Life-loving 40-something Lea works in retail, and is happily married to Marc, a conservative and somewhat insecure salesman. Lea has long been considered a dreamer by her know-it-all best friend Karine, who seems content enough with her advertising executive job and life with gentle giant Francis and their two kids. But something is about to upset the intricate balance of this quartet.

Over dinner one evening, Lea unexpectedly announces she is trying her hand at writing a novel, a declaration met with some bemusement; Marc is certainly unconvinced. Lea’s burst of creativity triggers an apparently threatened Karine to pick up her own pen, and even Francis dusts off a long-abandoned artistic side. When Lea’s book is picked up by a major publisher great things seem assured, if only her friends and husband can handle it.

LOVE SONGS FOR TOUGH GUYS
Starring François Damiens, Ramzy Bedia, Vanessa Paradis, Gustave Kervern, Joeystarr, Valeria Bruni‑tedeschi, Vincent MacAigne, Jules Benchetrit, Bouli Lanners and Bruno Podalydès. Directed by Samuel Benchetrit.

In the port city of Dunkirk, weary crime boss Jeff has a big problem: young punks are muscling in on his turf. But Jeff is distracted: he’s fallen for Roxane, a supermarket cashier he adores from afar. Taking a leaf from the Cyrano playbook, he tries to win her heart by writing love poems, but doesn’t have the courage to deliver them. Two other clueless associates try all sorts of arm-twisting to convince some high school kids to come to Je7’s daughter’s 18th birthday party.

Meanwhile, Jeff’s grizzled and near-mute enforcer is sent to shake down local suburban widow Suzanne, who is preparing to portray Simone de Beauvoir in the community theatre’s annual musical, but instead finds himself drawn into the actual production.

THE BRAND NEW TESTAMENT
Starring Pili Groyne, Benoît Poelvoorde, Yolande Moreau, Catherine Deneuve, François Damiens, Serge Larivière, Didier De Neck, Laura Verlinden, Romain Gelin and Marco Lorenzini. Directed by Jaco Van Dormael.

REVIEWS The Brand New Testament - What if God was one of us?