Must-See Movies June 11: Dragons 4, Life Of Chuck, Forced Vacation with Clovis Cornillac!

“Dragons” by Dean DeBlois

Starring Mason Thames, Gerard Butler, Nico Parker…

What’s it about? On the rugged island of Beurk, where Vikings and dragons have battled for generations, Harold stands out as an anomaly. This dreamy, unassuming young man breaks centuries of tradition by befriending a dragon named Toothless.

Did you know? Filming took place at the Titanic Studios in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where the production designer Dominic Watkins and his team utilized several sound stages and vast outdoor sets. The Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Scotland served as inspirations for the landscapes of Beurk.

“Forced Holidays” by François Prévôt-Leygonie, Stephan Archinard

Featuring Clovis Cornillac, Laurent Stocker, Bertrand Usclat…

What’s it about? Due to a booking mistake, two polar opposite families, along with a slightly snobbish publisher and the influencer he intends to sign, are forced to share a luxurious vacation home. The clash of cultures is immediate, highlighting incompatible habits and strong personalities.

Did you know? Three actors from the Comédie Française are featured in the film: Pauline Étienne, Laurent Stocker, and young Claïna Clavaron, marking her second feature film role after “After Blue” by Bertrand Mandico (2019).

“Life Of Chuck” by Mike Flanagan

Starring Tom Hiddleston, Mark Hamill, Chiwetel Ejiofor…

What’s it about? The extraordinary life of an ordinary man told in three chapters. Thank you, Chuck!

Did you know? The film is divided into three chapters told in reverse order. This artistic choice is a direct tribute to the structure of the short story by Stephen King. According to Mike Flanagan, “Told in order, the story would lose its impact.” Moreover, each chapter explores a different period in Chuck’s life, each with a distinct aesthetic, tone, and even specific aspect ratios (1.85:1, 2.0:1, 2.39:1), enhancing the reverse progression.

“Different” by Lola Doillon

Featuring Jehnny Beth, Thibaut Evrard, Mireille Perrier…

What’s it about? Katia, a talented 35-year-old documentarian, exhibits uniqueness in her approach to relationships, which are all somewhat chaotic. Her participation in a new documentary finally helps her identify her difference, a revelation that turns her already complicated life upside down.

Did you know? Lola Doillon wanted to write a love story and simultaneously was offered several projects about autism. She learned about people who received a late diagnosis and immediately created the character of Katia, an autistic woman without intellectual disability: “How do you manage love when you can’t live out the relationship? More broadly, it led me to think about how to experience love when you don’t fit into the societal norms,” she shares.

“Untamable” by Thomas Ngijol

Starring Thomas Ngijol, Danilo Melande, Welcome Mvoe…

What’s it about? In Yaoundé, Commissioner Billong investigates the murder of a police officer. Struggling to maintain order both in the streets and within his family, this principled man of tradition is nearing his breaking point.

Did you know? “Untamable” marks Thomas Ngijol’s first foray into the detective genre, a field he is fond of. Known primarily as a comedian who often starred in comedies, he adopts a much darker and restrained acting style here. However, he incorporated humor into his script, noting that “one cannot spend a day in Cameroon without having a good laugh!”

“A Normal Family” by Jin-Ho Hur

Starring Sul Kyung-gu, Jang Dong-gun, Hee-ae Kim…

What’s it about? Two brothers, a materialistic lawyer and an idealistic surgeon, frequently meet with their wives for dinner at a posh restaurant in Seoul. When a criminal case involving them hits the media, their moral compasses are severely tested.

Did you know? The film is based on the novel “The Dinner” by Herman Koch. An American movie adaptation, “The Dinner” directed by Oren Moverman, was released in 2017.

“Summer Meeting” by Valentine Cadic

Featuring Blandine Madec, India Hair, Arcadi Radeff…

What’s it about? Set against the backdrop of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Blandine, a 30-year-old from Normandy, comes to watch the swimming competitions and reconnect with a half-sister she hasn’t seen in 10 years. Accustomed to quiet and solitude, Blandine finds herself in a bustling city whose codes she does not know.

Did you know? Contrary to what one might think, Valentine Cadic did not conceive the film in 2017 when the Paris Olympics were announced. The idea came much later, in line with her previous short films, which were also set against the backdrop of real events, such as historical reenactments at Omaha Beach.

“Sister Midnight” by Karan Kandhari

Starring Radhika Apte, Ashok Pathak, Chhaya Kadam…

What’s it about? After an arranged marriage, Uma confronts the harsh realities of marital life with a cowardly and selfish husband. Refusing to succumb to the torment of her relationship, she unleashes her impulses and transforms into a monstrous figure at night…

“Filth” by Luna Carmoon

Starring Saura Lightfoot Leon, Hayley Squires, Joseph Quinn…

What’s it about? London, 1984: Seven-year-old Maria and her mother live in a world of their own, woven with love and collected treasures. However, one night everything changes. Ten years later, Maria is living a peaceful life in a foster home when an older man, Michael, bursts into their life, reviving buried wounds and blurring the line between magic and madness.

“The Words They Once Had” by Raphael Pillosio

What’s it about? In 1962, Yann Le Masson filmed the testimonies of Algerian women activists as they were released from prison in France. Over 50 years later, with the original sound recordings lost, I embark on a quest to find these women. This film-investigation tells their silent stories. A film-essay about cinema that depicts their disappearance and keeps them alive forever.