Full credits Film production and distribution Statistics International distribution
: Theatrical releases
International distribution
: DVD releases
Technical details Feature film, Fiction , Psychological drama
Production language : French
Nationality : Majority French (Portugal)
Production year : 1998
French release : 16/12/1998
Runtime : 2h
Current status : Released
Visa issue date : 24/11/1998
Approval : Yes
Production formats :
35mm
Screening format :
35mm
Color type : Color
Aspect ratio : 1.85
Synopsis Martin is a restless philosophy teacher. He's tired of teaching and can't get to work on the book he's hoping to write. He's also disturbed by the happiness of his ex-wife. Martin's crisis takes a turn when he meets Cecilia, a young woman suspected of driving an artist to his death. To his surprise, Martin develops a sexual rapport with the far-from-intellectual Cecilia. He claims he's bored, yet continues to see her. He is irritated but fascinated by Cecilia's uncomplicated attitudes toward love, life and sex. His ex-wife becomes a reluctant confidant and privileged spectator of the passion which slowly undermines Martin's certainties. Summary Laurence Ferreira Barbosa, who worked on the casting of “Le Bar des rails”, advised me to read “La Noia” by Alberto Moravia. She thought the novel had elements in common with my film, about a mute youngster and a grownup. I was hooked from page one and I couldn’t put it down. I devoured it like a thriller. I had no intention of making a film version but the book wouldn’t let me go. Every time I started to write a story, I realized it always came back to a female character who makes a man crazy with dependence on her. I ended up believing that this was the story I wanted to tell. But the real, deep reasons are still unclear. I’m like Martin, the main character, with Cecilia. I made the film to find out why I had to do it. (Cédric Kahn in “Positif” magazine, December ) Festival selections | 
