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ICA Films
Posted: September 12th, 2008.
The resulting work has the intimacy of home video, but the patience and selectivity of the best documentaries. – Sunday Telegraph
… a deeply intelligent, moving, personal essay… **** – The Guardian
… so poignant you feel your heart might break. **** – The Independent
Winner 2007 Cannes FIPRESCI Award (The International Federation of Film Critics)
Audience Award Festival International du Film Francophone de Namur, 2007
Official selection Vienna International Film Festival 2007
One of the most arresting directorial debuts of recent times. – Empire
… Sandrine Bonnaire clearly felt the need to reveal a family tragedy that will be familiar to a number of people watching her fine documentary and will touch everyone. – Channel4.com
Bonnaire has made a powerful statement about the limits of love in the face of chronic debilitating illness. – Variety
Directed by César Award winning actress Sandrine Bonnaire, Her Name is Sabine was described by The International Federationof Film Critics at Cannes, 2007, as the most beautiful film that Cannes has given us this year. Now, the 6 October2008 DVD release of this extraordinary documentary by ICA Films provides a wonderful opportunity for you to own a truly astonishingpiece of filmmaking.
Her Name is Sabine is a sensitive and very personal portrait of Sandrines younger sister Sabine. Combining film footage takenat Sabines current care home as well as 25 years of home-movies, Sandrine charts the disturbing and heartbreaking journey ofher sister from a young independent woman with special needs to an adult in need of constant supervision.
Once lively, vivacious and talented, Sabine taught herself to play Bach on the piano, loved to travel and had a real capacityto enjoy life. As her elder sisters grew up and began to leave home, it was left to their mother to take sole charge of Sabine. Initially, Sabine was able to visit her sisters, but a move to the country made this more and more difficult and Sabine gradually became withdrawn and agitated. With her mother unable to cope, the only solution seemed to be institutional care. However, five years in a psychiatric hospital crushed Sabines spirit and abilities as she succumbed to the inadequate system of state institutions.
The contrast between the young girl in the early home movies and the dispirited 38-year-old woman is shocking and devastating,but there is hope. With the love and unwavering support of her family, and the proper care Sabine is receiving in a home inthe Charente region, she is slowly beginning to claw back some of her dignity and spirit.
About the director:
Sandrine Bonnaire is one of Frances best known actresses. She was born the 31 May 1967 in Gannat, and as a promising youngFrench actress garnered acclaim for her very first screen performance, in Maurice Pialat’s “À nos amours” (1983). SandrineBonnaire won a French best actress Cesar for her role as the aimless vagrant in Agnes Varda’s haunting “Vagabond” (1985) andturned in acclaimed performances in Pialat’s “Under Satan’s Sun” (1987), Patrice Leconte’s stylish thriller “Monsieur Hire”(1989) and Claude Chabrol’s “A Judgment in Stone” (1995).
Her Name is Sabine is her first film as a director.
The DVD is released on October 6th 2008, it runs for 84 minutes and retails for £15.99,but is currently on Amazon at the link above for £12.00.
Vote and comment on this DVD: News page content input by Dominic Robinson, 2008.
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.