Top 100 Most Anticipated Foreign Films of 2022: #100. Céline Devaux’s Tout le monde aime Jeanne

Tout le monde aime Jeanne

In the rare case we’re delighted, engaged and even surprised by French comedies (Bruno Dumont’s France is a rare example that checks off all the boxes) but for the most part, we’re mostly dismissive as they often feel like private jokes with mind-bogging nuances. And it is with a French comedy that we begin our Top 100 Most Anticipated Foreign Films of 2022 with a new voice whose visual shorthand is richly unique, loaded, often experimental and whose brand of comedy might congeal well with Blanche Gardin in the lead (and who happens to be a great supporting player in the Dumont film). Céline Devaux saw her debut short land at Clermont-Ferrand, saw her sophomore short Sunday Lunch get selected for the Palme d’Or comp in Cannes (it was awarded the French Oscar also known as the Césars) and her last short item, won the Golden Lion in Venice. Tout le monde aime Jeanne (Everybody Loves Jeanne) will see the filmmaker employ some animation techniques but this is mostly a live-action item with Gardin being joined by the always versatile Laurent Lafitte. Produced by Sylvie Pialat (see her profile), Benoit Quainon and Luis Urbano, lensing took place last August in Paris and a dash of Lisbon its the animated portion (a creature who goes by the name of Little Ghost) of the film that could make post a bit longer. Director of Photography duties were assigned to Olivier Boonjing (who recently worked on Zero Fucks Given – read review).

Gist: Everyone loved Jeanne (Blanche Gardin) when she was young. Today, Jeanne is 40 and she hates herself. In climbing debt, she must go to Lisbon to sell the apartment of her mother who died two years ago . On the way, she meets Jean (Laurent Lafitte) they were in high school together, and he won’t let go of her.

Release Date/Prediction: While this could be readied for a Cannes deadline, a Venice showcase (same lieu where her Gros Chagrin won the Golden Lion for Best Short) is more likely. Perhaps the Orizzonti section.