7 Years (film)

7 Years (French: 7 ans) is a 2006 French drama film starring Bruno Todeschini, Valerie Donzelli and Cyril Troley. It is written and directed by Jean-Pascal Hattu. The film explores the sexual tension between a wife and a husband serving a long jail sentence. Valerie Donzelli's performance in the film won her awards at the Seattle International Film Festival[1] and at the Valencia Festival of Mediterranean Cinema[2]

7 Years
Theatrical release poster
French7 ans
Directed byJean-Pascal Hattu
Produced byJustin Taurand
Written byJean-Pascal Hattu
Screenplay byJean-Pascal Hattu
Gilles Taurand
Guillaume Daporta
StarringValérie Donzelli
Cyril Troley
Bruno Todeschini
Music byFranck Delabre
CinematographyPascal Poucet
Edited byAnne Klotz
Production
company
Les Films du Bélier
Distributed byPyramide Distribution
Release date
  • September 3, 2006 (2006-09-03) (Venice Film Festival)
  • February 21, 2007 (2007-02-21) (France)
Running time
86 minutes
CountryFrance
LanguageFrench

Plot

Maïté (Valerie Donzelli) is the devoted young wife of Vincent (Bruno Todeschini), who is serving 7 years in prison for an unspecified crime. She brings Vincent clean clothes, and puts money in his canteen account. She and Vincent obviously still need each other sexually, and it is difficult for both of them to be separated.

One day Maïté is approached by a young man named Jean (Cyril Troley), who says his brother is also incarcerated for 7 years. They quickly embark on a sexual relationship, but Maïté is cold and unresponsive.

She has a good relationship with her neighbour, Djamila, who has a small son, Julien. Maïté looks after him frequently whilst Djamila is at work, and the two are close. Eventually Maïté discovers that Jean is in fact a guard at her husband's prison. The affair takes a turn when Vincent finds out; instead of stopping them, he insists Jean tape their meetings. He advises Jean how to move Maïté emotionally and sexually, however, Jean tells him "she is empty".

As Jean falls in love with Maïté, she tries to distance herself from both of them. However, as Jean leaves to take up a post in Lille, Vincent attempts suicide and in final scene she is seen walking confidently into the prison to visit him once again.

Cast

Awards
  • New Director's Showcase Special Jury Prize - Seattle International Film Festival 2007 - Won
  • Best Actress - Valencia Festival of Mediterranean Cinema 2007 - Won

References
  1. Seattle International Film Festival 2007 Winners List Archived 2011-01-06 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2011-02-25.
  2. (in Spanish)


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