Persécution

2009 French film

5 September 2009 (2009-09-05) (Venice Film Festival)
9 December 2009 (2009-12-09) (France)

Running time

100 minutesCountriesFrance
GermanyLanguageFrenchBox office$1.7 million^[1]

Persécution is a 2009 romantic-drama film directed by Patrice Chéreau. It stars Romain Duris, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Jean-Hugues Anglade. It premiered on 5 September 2009 at the 66th Venice International Film Festival where it was nominated for the Golden Lion.

Plot

Daniel, 35, is haunted by a stranger who regularly breaks into his house and spies on him. One day, the stranger, a seemingly harmless middle-aged man, confronts Daniel and tells him that he is the man of his life. Daniel is shocked by the admission and tells the stranger to stay away. Daniel has a girlfriend, Sonia, whom he persecutes yet also worships. Sonia prioritizes her career before her relationship with Daniel and ignores his needs.^[2]

Cast

Romain Duris as Daniel
Charlotte Gainsbourg as Sonia
Jean-Hugues Anglade as The madman
Gilles Cohen as Michel
Hiam Abbass as Marie
Alex Descas as Thomas
Tsilla Chelton as Old woman
Corinne Masiero

Reception

Ray Bennett of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "Charismatic stars and the film's Gallic shrug of acceptance over the difficulties that being in love creates will take the film to festivals and art houses, but it's far from a classic".^[3]

Award and nominations

Venice Film Festival

Golden Lion - Patrice Chéreau (nomination)

César Awards

César Award for Best Supporting Actor - Jean-Hugues Anglade (nomination)

References

^ "Persécution". Retrieved 22 July 2021.
^ Synopsis Films de France. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
^ Bennett, Ray (5 September 2009). "Persecution — Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 22 July 2021.