Premiere - Beating Hearts: We were present at the Paris Club Allociné Private Screening 

By Mulder, Paris, Pathé Alésia, 14 october 2024

On October 14, 2024, cinema enthusiasts gathered at the Pathé Alésia in Paris for an exclusive Club Allociné private screening of Beating Hearts (L'Amour Ouf), marking a significant event on the Parisian cinematic calendar. This special showing brought together the film's director Gilles Lellouche, along with lead cast members Mallory Wanecque and Malik Frikah, who participated in an engaging discussion with the audience following the screening. Their presence, combined with the film's powerful themes, created a memorable atmosphere that allowed fans a deeper look into the creative process and artistic vision behind this ambitious project.

Beating Hearts, a romantic drama directed by Lellouche, is adapted from Neville Thompson's 1997 novel Jackie Loves Johnser OK?, a story that intricately explores the intersections of love, societal expectations, and resilience. Lellouche, who co-wrote the screenplay with Audrey Diwan, Ahmed Hamidi, and Julien Lambroschini, brings his own style and substance to this adaptation. A French-Belgian co-production, the film features a talented ensemble cast led by François Civil and Adèle Exarchopoulos, with notable performances by Malik Frikah, Mallory Wanecque, Alain Chabat, Benoît Poelvoorde, Vincent Lacoste, Jean-Pascal Zadi, Élodie Bouchez, Karim Leklou, Raphaël Quenard, and Anthony Bajon.

The narrative of Beating Hearts spans two decades, taking viewers on a journey through the tumultuous lives of Jackie and Clotaire, two teenagers from drastically different social backgrounds who find themselves drawn together by an undeniable love. Jackie, from an upper-middle-class family, and Clotaire, from a working-class environment, represent a compelling contrast, and their intense romance is marked by both passion and hardship. As the story unfolds in northeastern France, Clotaire's descent into a life of crime ultimately leads to a 12-year prison sentence, a development that tests the strength and endurance of their bond in unimaginable ways. This exploration of love, loyalty, and personal transformation strikes a universal chord, making Beating Hearts resonate on both emotional and societal levels.

Beating Hearts had its world premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 23, 2024, where it competed in the main lineup. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics at Cannes, the film has garnered a dedicated following due to its bold storytelling and visually striking cinematography by Laurent Tangy. Set to an evocative soundtrack curated by Jon Brion, which includes iconic 1980s and 1990s songs by artists such as The Cure, New Order, Madonna, Nas, and Jay-Z, the film draws viewers into its era-rich ambiance. The dance sequences, choreographed by the avant-garde collective (La)Horde, add a rhythmic dimension to the film, interweaving elements of dance with the tumultuous love story.

Behind the scenes, Beating Hearts represents a notable collaboration between France and Belgium, with production companies including Chi-Fou-Mi Productions, Trésor Films, StudioCanal, France 2 Cinéma, and Cool Industrie, while Belgium's Artémis Productions, RTBF, Proximus, BeTV, and Shelter Prod provided additional support. The film's budget, initially set at €32 million, ultimately climbed to an impressive €35.7 million, marking one of StudioCanal's most significant investments in a French-language production. Producers Alain Attal and Hugo Sélignac have described the project as “a love rollercoaster, mixing romance, violence, and dance,” a phrase that captures the film’s vibrant, sometimes chaotic energy.

The journey to bring Beating Hearts to the big screen began as early as 2013, when Lellouche expressed interest in adapting Thompson’s novel, describing the potential film as an “ultra-violent romantic comedy.” Over the years, the vision for the movie evolved, with Lellouche refining the screenplay alongside his co-writers, ultimately producing a final script that mixes elements of a love story with gritty realism. His direction draws inspiration from cinematic influences like Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and the classic musical West Side Story (1957), resulting in a film that defies conventional genre boundaries and surprises audiences at every turn.

The Club Allociné screening at Pathé Alésia was a unique opportunity for moviegoers to delve into the world of Beating Hearts before its official release in French cinemas on October 16, 2024. This event was particularly noteworthy for fans of Gilles Lellouche, who has cultivated a dedicated following through his past works. Attendees were able to engage with Lellouche and the actors directly, gaining insight into the film’s themes, characters, and the real-life challenges of adapting a novel of such emotional depth. Lellouche shared anecdotes from the film’s production journey, including the rigorous editing process that saw him continually refining the movie’s ending up until a few days before its theatrical debut.

For those looking for a profound, emotional experience, Beating Hearts offers a tale of love that endures against the odds, layered with themes of social disparity and personal redemption. This private Club Allociné screening highlighted the film’s ability to resonate deeply with audiences, and Lellouche’s engagement with the viewers added a personal touch that elevated the experience.

Beating Hearts is now playing in theaters across France, distributed by StudioCanal. For an in-depth review of this unforgettable cinematic experience, visit Mulderville.net, or check out the official trailer to get a glimpse of this epic love story.

You can discover our review here : https://mulderville.net/en/reviews/6516/beating-hearts

Synopsis :
Jackie and Clotaire grow up between the high school benches and the harbor docks. She studies, he hangs out. Then their destinies cross and they fall madly in love. Life tries to keep them apart, but they're like two ventricles of the same heart...

Beating Hearts
Directed by Gilles Lellouche
Produced by Alain Attal, Hugo Sélignac
Written by Gilles Lellouche, Ahmed Hamidi, Audrey Diwan, based on the work by Neville Thompson
Starring Adèle Exarchopoulos, François Civil, Mallory Wanecque, Malik Frikah, Alain Chabat, Benoît Poelvoorde, Vincent Lacoste, Jean-Pascal Zadi, Élodie Bouchez, Karim Leklou, Raphaël Quenard, Anthony Bajon, Emmanuel Dehaene, Nicolas Wanczycki
Music by Jon Brion
Cinematography : Laurent Tangy
Edited by Simon Jacquet
Production companies : Trésor Films, CHI-FOU-MI Productions, Artémis Productions, Shelter Prod
Distributed by StudioCanal (France)
Release date : October 16, 2024 (France)
Running time : 160 minutes