Entertainment: Niels Arestrup’s latest film
Niels Arestrup, a French actor of Danish origin, has made his mark on cinema with his magnetic presence and nuanced performances. Born on February 8, 1949 in Montreuil, he began his career in theater before establishing himself in cinema in the 1970s A prophet AND My heart stopped beatingAND Quai d’Orsaywhich earned him three Césars for best supporting actor. His collaboration with renowned directors, such as Jacques Audiard, consolidated his reputation as a demanding and talented actor.
This Sunday, December 1, 2024, Niels Arestrup died in Ville-d’Avray after a long illness. To honor his memory, France 3 airs this evening Funhis last film released in 2023. In this biographical drama directed by Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar, he plays a taciturn orchestra conductor who gradually opens up to contact with a young woman who aspires to carve out a place for herself in this very male. environment.
A box office failure
Fun is inspired by the true story of Zahia Ziouani (here played by Oulaya Amamra), a young woman of Algerian origins who strives to become an orchestra conductor. The plot takes place in the heart of the 90s, in a suburb where there seems to be classical music away from everyday worries. Zahia, passionate about music since childhood, dreams of directing an orchestra, but her journey is full of pitfalls: discrimination, cultural barriers and prejudices of an environment still largely dominated by men.
Niels Arestrup plays the role of Sergiu Celibidache, legendary conductor and demanding mentor. Under his penetrating gaze and his rigorous methods, Zahia will have to prove that he is capable of resisting a demanding discipline and to an often hostile environment. This character, inspired by Zahia Ziouani’s real relationship with her teachers, is at the same time a father figure and an obstacle to overcome. Through intense confrontations between the two characters, the film explores power relations and the search for legitimacy in an elitist world.
Upon its release in January 2023, the film received mixed critical reception. While some praised the actors’ performances, particularly that of Niels Arestrup, others criticized the script’s lack of depth. THE Figaro he specifically described the film as a “binary mode musical biopic”.
At the box office, Fun did not have the desired success. Despite a thought-provoking subject and convincing performances, the film failed to attract large audiences in theaters and amassed only 267,000 admissions by the end of its run.
Source: Cine Serie
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