Synopsis
Two prisoners in their thirties concoct an extraordinary escape, intending to incorporate the watchtower searchlights' perpetual circuit in their plans. It'll be a true work of art. Only one of them will make it back to his cell. He refuses to talk, and hasn't spoken since first been put behind bars. The chief prison warder and director have decided to make him talk: alarms, mass shakedowns, collective punishments, bullying… anything goes. There's a touch of madness in the air. The prison guards uncover some great stuff… It really is a prison full of crazies. Pressure mounts when a new prisoner arrives. He's a computer programmer, an unfortunate victim of a judicial error. His fellow prisoners put him through ropes and the prison bulls retaliate by banning television. At the lead up to the final playoffs, the prison threatens to explode. Mutiny! The prisoners overthrow the prison. Some try to escape, others settle scores, it's a crazy free-for-all. The SWAT team called in to establish order are quickly overrun. Even the director washes his hands of the situation.
Credits
Director (1)
Actors (16)
Production and distribution (4)
- Executive Producer : Aussie Films
- Co-production : STUDIOCANAL
- Film exports/foreign sales : Family Films
- French distribution : Chameau Distribution
Full credits (13)
- Executive Producer : Marie-Dominique Girodet
- Adaptation : Laurent Baffie
- Sound Recordist : Claude Hivernon
- Screenwriters : Philippe Eineck, Jean-Marc Parisis
- Director of Photography : Bernard Dechet
- Production manager : Claudine Zidi
- Press Attachés (film) : Dominique Segall, Guillaume Andreu
- Editor : Élisabeth Moulinier
- Continuity supervisor : Anne Wermelinger
- Production Designer : Bruno Bruneau
- Music Composer : Thomas Schönberg
- Costume designer : Clémentine Joya
- Still Photographers : Michèle Mattei, Wilfrid Gremillet
Media Gallery
Technical details
- Type : Feature film
- Production country : France
- Original French-language productions : Unspecified
- Nationality : 100% French (France)
- Production year : 1999
- French release : 12/01/2000
- Runtime : 1 h 30 min
- Current status : Released
- Visa number : 94.211
- Visa issue date : 05/05/1999
- Approval : Yes
- Production formats : 35mm
- Color type : Color
- Audio format : Dolby SR
Box-office & releases
TV broadcasting
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About
On the first day, I remember feeling the dreadful weight of the prison on our shoulders.
On the last day, I remember feeling sad to leave.
Either you get used to everything, or else I’ve got the wrong idea about prison.
Alain Robak, Director
