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List Price: $27.99 | | Label: Strand Releasing
Salesrank: 15248
Released: June 24, 2008 |
| Our Price: $15.10 |
| Used Price: $13.95 |
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MPAA Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
André Téchiné`s lush drama follows a close knit group of friends who are faced with the dawn of a sexual revolution in the early 1980s. THE WITNESSES tracks the relationship of a young writer played by Emmanuelle Béart (8 WOMEN, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, STRAYED), her detective boyfriend, a reknown doctor and how their lives collide when a young, attractive gay man joins their circle. Set in Paris and the countryside, Téchiné blends the storylines and parallel lives with an erotic naturalism, yet never ignoring the consequences of sexual freedom.
Directed by acclaimed French director André Téchiné (WILD REEDS, CHANGING TIMES, STRAYED) and starring Emmanuelle Béart (8 WOMEN, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, STRAYED), Michel Blanc (M. HIRE), Sami Bouajila (DAYS OF GLORY), Julie Depardieu ( A SECRET, BLAME IT ON FIDEL, A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT), Johan Libéreau, Constance Dollé.
The Witnesses Reviews:
Provokes mixed feelings 
2008-08-23 - Andre Techine's "The Witnesses" was a moving film for me on several levels. The cast and acting are generally superb. The story line which takes us back to the early 1980s and the beginning of the AIDS crisis, is probably (and disturbingly) an accurate reflection of the times which continued to echo the sexual openess of the 1970s and self-absorption of the 1980s.
Still, as one reviewer points out, there is a cold-blooded perspective that would appear to be uniquely French that made me somewhat uncomfortable with the interactions of the film's characters. For people who are supposed to care for each other to the point of obsession, there is precious little affection on offer. This starts with the female lead's complete lack of interest in her new enfant. This same character (a writer) eventually sees opportunity in a tragedy that affects her family and friends. With an American cultural background, it's hard to accept this kind of hard-hearted "moving on."
As for the gay/bisexual characters who are often at the center of the film, they are sympathetic at times, but ruthless and seemingly uncaring at others. Another reflection of the times? Maybe, but I couldn't say it's very close to what I remember of the period in the U.S.
In any event, it's an interesting film with a distinct point of view and serves as a reminder of the ongoing tragedy of AIDS and the huge loss of young lives since the disease first appeared nearly 30 years ago.
WITNESSING LIBEREAU
2008-08-21 - Johan Libereau gives a breathtaking performance as the young charismatic gay man in Andre Techine's moving drama about the early days of the Aids epidemic set in 80's France.The film has all the trade marks of it's Director, good story & superb acting from it's cast.However he seems to have forgotten his eye for detail here !.There are several scene's where it's evident that it's not early 80's ( Location shot's ) then there's the problem with the waredrobe dept ( Like the latest leather Jackets! ) & Libereau's dying scene's in hospital ( With 2005 Plastered all over his pillows! ) None of this will spoil your enjoyment (although Julie Depardeau is one dimensional again ! ) Watch out for Libereau in the future he is a great new talent following in the footsteps of Stephane Rideau & Melvil Poupaud.
Sexy. Sad. True. Perfect. 
2008-08-06 - Perfection. Awesome. Sexy. Surprising. Heartbreaking. Revelatory. Witty. Cherishable. Astonishing. Revealing. True. Brutal. Funny. Sexy. Sad. True. Sexy. Sad. True. Perfection.
Remembering the Earliest Victims of AIDS 
2008-07-28 - This is the story of what happened to a few lives in France when AIDS was first diagnosed and the world struggled to understand this new mystery illness that was so devastating.
It follows the life of a young man, fresh from the countryside as he discovers Paris, life and sex. He becomes entangled with a married police detective from the vice squad, and plationically with an older doctor. The doctor realizes he is an early AIDS victim and tries his best to keep him alive. The police detective struggles with knowing he might have caught the disease and even passed it to his wife.
It is a fast-paced and well-done movie and clearly recalls many of the horrors associated with the earliest forms of this dreadful disease, when no medications were sufficient to control it.
Wonderful film, not so wonderful presentation
2008-06-29 - Andre Techine's excellent and engrossing film is marred by the use of non-optional subtitles. DVD viewers should have the basic option of turning the subtitles on or off. So much is concealed and distorted when viewing a film with non-optional subtitles, and it is a pity to see a movie of this caliber formatted for DVD in such a shabby way. It is particularly disappointing coming from Strand, a distribution company that offers some of the most interesting foreign language films.
