Award-winning novelist, screenwriter and director, David  Foenkinos is renowned for his film adaptation of his own book, Delicacy starring Audrey Tautou, and co-directed by Stephane Foenkinos. Stephane and David’s latest offering, JALOUSE, which they co wrote and co directed, is one of the highlights of this year’s Alliance Française French Film Festival.

Like Delicacy, JALOUSE boasts a star turn central performance from one of France’s foremost actresses, Karin Viard, as a woman threatened by her place in the world, a feeling that manifests itself in an insane jealousy to family and friends.

Nathalie is a divorced Professor of Literature, seemingly financially and professionally secure. But emotionally and psychologically she is a wreck.

Her husband has re-coupled and appears happy. Nathalie thinks his new partner beneath him and resents her as a replacement.

Nathalie’s daughter, Mathilde, is in a loving and stable relationship with her boyfriend and is poised to embark on a career as a ballerina.

Nathalie is jealous of Mathilde’s youth, promise, and her good relationship with her father and his new partner. Her jealousy impacts upon her professional life as she is suspicious of a new, young teacher and her methods, summarily dismissing her inputs as immature twaddle.

Nathalie’s jealousy is rampant and has no boundaries, the green eyed monster acting both blindly and wilfully, damaging old friends and new relationships alike.

JALOUSE could have been a right royal pain in the derriere if it wasn’t for the luminous, layered, and learned performance by the principal player, Karin Viard.

Spectaculary good in The Family Belier a few years ago, Viard cements both her comic and tragedian credentials in this crazy tale of all consuming envy.

Jealousy is indeed a curse for Nathalie, seemingly under a spell of all encompassing covetousness.

David Foenkinos will be joining the Alliance Française French Film Festival junket to promote JALOUSE (Jealousy), an added incentive to catch this wickedly wonderful and baffling film.

Dates and venues for the 2018 Alliance Française French Film Festival are:

SYDNEY:
27 Feb – 27 March
Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinema, Palace Central & Hayden Orpheum Cremorne