NEW DIRECTORS/NEW FILMS REVIEW // A REVIEW OF "TU DORS NICOLE"
The Museum of Modern Art and the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s 44th edition of New Directors/New Films is being presented in New York City from March 18 – March 29. For 44 years New Directors/New Films has been an annual rite of early spring in New York City, bringing exciting discoveries from around the world to adventurous moviegoers. All aspects of cinema, from production to exhibition, have changed dramatically over the years, but the spirit of innovation and the element of surprise that have always defined this festival remain intact. Dedicated to the discovery of new works by emerging and dynamic filmmaking talent, this year’s festival will screen 26 international feature films and 16 short films.
We here at TheArtsWire Weekly are bringing you our take on the films we're screening during the festival.
Don’t let the film’s title fool you. TU DORS NICOLE (YOU’RE SLEEPING NICOLE), is anything but a sleepy kind of film. It is a funny, emotional and interesting piece that has a fantastically ironic title. The main character, Nicole, played by Julianne Côté, actually struggles with sleep throughout the film’s entirety. She can’t sleep because of the neighbor’s barking dog, or the deafening band practice happening upstairs, or the creaking of the rotating fan blades, or maybe it’s just the banality of her Quebecois summer.
Nicole may be bored, but I was not.
The whole film moves like a dream. By abruptly shifting from a night by the pool, to a sweaty shift at Nicole’s mediocre summer job, the audience is never allowed to linger in a moment too long, but is always forced to keep up with the new location being presented. Even though the scenes are disconnected and sometimes weirdly smash into the next one, the story is very clear and easy to follow. It also follows the rules of a dream. Most of the film is filled with very possible and real scenarios. Then every so often, something will happen that seems to only make sense in a dream. The first example that comes to mind is of the geyser that launches itself out of Nicole’s swimming pool. These strange moments are enjoyable reminders that this film should not be taken too seriously.
One thing I noticed and absolutely adored was the subtle ticking in the background of every scene. The whirr-clicks of a sewing machine, the sharp taps of a snare drum, and the slow lap of water against the side of a pool are all examples of everyday objects that lend themselves to the constant beat of the film. At first, the objects move steadily like the natural rhythm of a clock. Then, upon later realization, the constant tick-tick-tick sounds more like a bomb right before it goes off.
Though the film is not heavy on plot, it is rife with conflict and chalk full of well built characters. Martin, who is about 7 years old, has the voice of a 35 year old male, and has his heart set on Nicole, his babysitter. Nicole, who is 10 years younger than the new drummer in her brother’s band, is sweet and hopeful to find romance with him, in a cringe-worthy sort of way. Unfortunately the audience knows that this drummer holds a strong interest in the long legged Veronique. Veronique is the sunny blonde to Nicole’s serious “Plain Jane”, and also her best friend. These interesting and complicated relationships work together to create a leading lady that we simultaneously empathize with and wish we could shake violently. This is partially because in our early twenties, most of us experience all three of these situations. I found it so relatable I was actually wincing as friendships crumbled, kisses were denied and advances were made onscreen.
I enjoyed this film immensely. It does a great job of telling a story we all know, a story that most of us have lived through. Transitioning from the college years into young adulthood is not easy, graceful or dignified. It is awkward, difficult and sometimes explosive. TU DORS NICOLE captures this moment in time for Nicole, and does a wonderful job balancing the fantastical with the mundane.
VERDICT: MUST SEE
DIRECTED BY Stéphane Lafleur SCREENPLAY BY Valérie Beaugrand-Champagne (story), Stéphane Lafleur STARRING Julianne Côté, Pierre-Luc Lafontaine, Luc Senay
Playing as part of The Museum of Modern Art and the Film Society of Lincoln Center's 44th New Directors/New Films Fest. For tickets: http://newdirectors.org/
FINAL THOUGHTS: This film is a classier version of Napoleon Dynamite, with more grit and less interpretive dance.
CHRISENA RICCI once went to a costume party dressed in an all black dress and black wig. No one there could guess who she was. So she shouted out, "I'm Christina Ricci, without the T or I and add an E!" Everyone stood there confused, she was annoyed, so she stormed off. She never returned to that apartment ever again. Which is fine, because she later realized she was at the wrong party. She now lives in New York City.