France

Not far from the Brandenburg Gate, I happened to be standing right next to the German TV presenter Johannes B. Kerner, who was already getting ready for a TV dress rehearsal of the New Year's Eve celebration broadcast on the ZDF television station. I was able to see up close how thick the make-up is on the faces of our TV noses. Lea SEYDOUX wears exactly this type of television make-up throughout the entire film. And then there are the strange clothes that are supposed to look good on the screen, but in reality look pretty grotesque.

It all starts with President Macron personally having to warn the popular TV presenter France De Meurs (SEYDOUX) to keep quiet at his press conference. Then we witness how current news television is staged. Bizarre, enlightening and very frightening! It's about appearance, staging and reality. And yes, Bruno DUMONT's films are always very special. Please only watch if you have a good dose of joy in cynicism!

The cast is great! Chansonnier Benjamin BIOLAY is there as the author husband of the busy TV reporter, Juliane KÖHLER (Silver Bear 1999 for AIMEE & JAGUAR) has a bizarre appearance as an over-the-top spa patient. And the comedienne Blanche GARDIN is really great as the manager of our television nose. I also really liked her in "Delete History". This actress is definitely one to keep an eye on! Seriously! And then an almost forgotten female former chancellor scurries across the screen...mon dieu!

The film has so far grossed $1.3 million in the box office worldwide. And yes, I have to admit it: I'm cynical enough to say that I really enjoyed the film. And evil as I am, the TV-obsessed France de Meurs often made me think of German talk show hosts like Sabine CHRISTIANSEN...well, enough of the nastiness for now!!! Oh yes, the film can be seen in the original version with subtitles in German cinemas, which is also very sensible. There's no other way, really!