At the cinema: My Mother’s Life… Why should you see this thrilling film with Agnes Jauy?

What is it about?

33-year-old Pierre, a successful florist, sees his life turned upside down when his mother, Judith, fantastical and extravagant, comes into his life after two years of not seeing each other. Pierre has only one idea, to return to the normal course of life, but nothing goes as planned. Their union, as unexpected and explosive as it is, transforms Pierre and Judith forever.

“My Mother’s Life”, the first feature film to be noticed at festivals, is now in theaters. Agnès Jaoui and William Lebghil’s film won a particularly coveted Audience Award at the Angoulême Film Festival de la Francophonie, where we were able to meet the team.

Discover 3 good reasons to resist temptation with this film, accompanied by some excerpts from our interview, which will be published in full this weekend.

From humor to emotion

My Mother’s Life combines laughter and emotion and manages to find a delicate balance thanks to sensitive writing. The film focuses on a rather dramatic subject, in this case illness and specifically bipolar, but with a sensitive and touching approach.

“I really liked the script because we don’t walk in big shoes thereActor William Lebgill emphasizes. It is always in modesty, or sometimes more in emotion. The script was very good and poetic.“

There is a lot of humanity in everything that is described

“I liked it: accuracy and subtlety of feelings, relationships between peopleAgnes Jaoui joins us on the mic. Every time Julien avoids clichés. There is great humanity in all that is described, including what is not easy. I get the impression that everyone can recognize, understand, see the complexity of relationships and the complexity of love.”

Thanks to a wonderful supporting cast, including Salif Sissy and Alison Wheeler, Julien Carpentier hits the sweet comedic notes. A particularly successful music scene should also see you off.

Inspired by real events

“My Mother’s Life” is not directly the life of the screenwriter and director’s mother, but this story is inspired by her. Julien Carpentier took real elements as his starting point, which gives this film a sincerity and sensitivity that will not leave you indifferent.

“This is a topic I know well because I have a mother who suffers from this bipolar disorder. Then it is fiction. I am not, for example, a florist, or at least I am not yet! invented.”

I think this is a film that speaks to the audience

and added: “There are certain scenes that I was able to draw from personal experience, but what they experience throughout the film is not something that I directly experienced.“

“I think this is a film that speaks to the audience. Bipolar affects many people, or those around them, many people. This disease circulates among people. The film speaks more broadly about illness, the difficulty of overcoming the sadness that can arise from illness.“- adds William Lebgill.

Actors like you’ve never seen before

“My Mother’s Life” has two actors in the main roles, who we are more used to seeing in the register of pure comedy. Agnès Jaoui and William Lebhil both have very exciting scenes. “I think this is the most luxurious film I have participated in,” says Agnes Jauy. But it is not at all humiliating!“, he adds.We cry a lot, but with happiness. There is something that is bothering you. And then, he’s a very colorful character who goes to a lot of extremes, and so he’s fun to play, obviously.“

He is a very colorful character who goes to many extremes

William Lebgill rarely played emotional scenes in the cinema. “I love it, but admittedly it’s not something I’ve been offered very often“. He follows: “When I was in drama school, for example, I knew I had a strong side and that was comedy. But I was only making a tragedy. I was in Perrimon’s school and every time, Mr. Perrimon would say to me, “But do comedy! And I said no, I don’t want to!“In tragedy I loved to find things that were funny. In Shakespeare or even in Racine, there are still very funny moments in those authors. I like it when everything is. I’m greedy!“, he concludes.

My Mother’s Life, written and directed by Julien Carpentier, hits theaters this Wednesday, March 6, 2024.