Movies - A bear in the Jura: From White Snows to Black Shadows

By Mulder, 30 december 2024

Renowned director and actor Franck Dubosc brilliantly breaks away from his usual comedies with Un ours dans le Jura, a film that ventures into the slippery terrain of film noir. Deeply rooted in the rugged beauty of the Jura region, this feature follows Michel and Cathy, a couple in crisis, whose bleak existence is turned upside down by a fateful accident. The discovery of two million euros in the trunk of a crashed car becomes the catalyst for an intrigue combining crime, secrecy and the resurrection of their lost complicity. Dubosc, assisted by screenwriter Sarah Kaminsky, delivers a work at the crossroads of genres, where dark humor rubs shoulders with poignant realism. The spectator is transported into a rural western, with snow as a backdrop, evoking at times the universe of the Coen brothers, to which Dubosc pays a deliberate tribute.

The film's narrative strength lies in its subtle balance between dramatic tension and moments of wry humor. Franck Dubosc depicts a rural microcosm where each character, no matter how secondary, is imbued with an unsettling depth and humanity. Benoît Poelvoorde, in the role of Roland, a gendarme both determined and fragile, perfectly illustrates this dichotomy. His complex, emotional relationship with his daughter adds an extra dimension to the film, while underscoring Dubosc's ability to explore human relationships with disarming sincerity. Laure Calamy, in the role of Cathy, plays a woman who, resigned at first, discovers an unsuspected strength. Her evolution subtly reflects current societal mutations, while remaining rooted in brutal realism. This confrontation of human failings, amplified by the arrival of Mafia characters, recalls the classic codes of film noir while infusing it with a typically French flavor.

The bold choice of a snowy, rural setting is no accident. The Jura, with its rugged, isolated landscapes, becomes a character in its own right, mirroring the protagonists' internal tensions. The Billaude waterfall and Les Rousses, emblematic locations of the shoot, are magnified by the photography of Ludovic Colbeau-Justin and Dominique Fausset, who capture the essence of this profound France. Sylvain Goldberg's music completes this immersion by playing with contrasts, at times de-dramatizing scenes of violence while accentuating the absurdity of certain situations. This dichotomy is particularly apparent in the sequences at the swingers' club, where Dubosc, although a novice in this register, manages to inject a dose of modesty into a setting that is nonetheless conducive to excess.

Un ours dans le Jura also shines in its casting choices. Franck Dubosc surrounds himself with actors from different worlds, bringing an unexpected freshness to his story. Kim Higelin, as Michel and Cathy's daughter, captivates with her originality and modernity. Joséphine de Meaux, with her natural melancholy, and Anne Le Ny, in the role of a police commissioner, reinforce the film's realistic dimension. This mix of established actors and faces less associated with the genre adds to the authenticity of the work. The chemistry between the characters transcends the screen, creating a coherent universe where every interaction, however small, enriches the main plot.

With this film, Franck Dubosc doesn't just tell a story: he questions morality, explores greed and plays with the gray area of human ethics. While money catalyzes events, it also serves as a prism for exposing the fragility and resilience of human relationships. The dilemmas faced by the characters force the viewer to ask: how far would we go to protect our secrets and improve our lives? This exploration of amorality, far from being devoid of levity, is treated with a surprisingly offbeat sense of humor, making this film both disturbing and delightfully entertaining.

Un ours dans le Jura marks a bold turning point in Franck Dubosc's career. More than a simple foray into film noir, it is a sincere testament to his desire for artistic renewal and freedom. With its polished aesthetics, memorable performances and poignant yet absurd screenplay, the film stands out as a must-see for those who appreciate complex, human stories rooted in raw reality.

Synopsis:
Michel and Cathy, a couple worn down by time and financial difficulties, don't really talk to each other anymore. Until the day Michel, trying to avoid a bear on the road, hits a car and kills both occupants. 2 dead and 2 million in used banknotes in the trunk, it's bound to make you want to talk again. And, above all, to keep quiet.

A bear in the Jura
Directed by Franck Dubosc
Produced by
Written by Franck Dubosc, Sarah Kaminsky
With Franck Dubosc, Acting: Michel, Laure Calamy, Benoît Poelvoorde, Joséphine de Meaux, Kim Higelin, Mehdi Meskar, Timéo Mahaut, Emmanuelle Devos, Louka Meliava, Jean-Louis Loca , Christophe Canard , Anne Le Ny , Claire Guillon , Bérénice Sand
Music: Sylvain Goldberg
Director of photography: Ludovic Colbeau-Justin, Dominique Fausset
Editing: Audrey Simonaud
Production company: Gaumont
Distributed by Gaumont (France),
Release date: January 1, 2025 (France)

(Source: press notes)