Tonight on TV: 4.3-Rated Film Starring Marion Cotillard and Jacques Audiard!

Three years after the acclaim of his film “A Prophet”, which won the Grand Prix at Cannes, Jacques Audiard made a notable return to the Croisette with “Rust and Bone”, a melodrama poised between social fable and romantic comedy.

Released in cinemas in 2012, “Rust and Bone”, Audiard’s sixth feature film, is based on a collection of short stories by Craig Davidson. The film introduces us to Ali (Matthias Schoenaerts), who leaves Belgium with his 5-year-old son, Sam, to live in Antibes at his sister Anna’s (Corinne Masiero) place.

Once settled, he finds work as a bouncer in a nightclub where he meets a young woman, Stéphanie (Marion Cotillard), and is immediately smitten. After losing touch, Ali reconnects with Stéphanie, only to find her profoundly changed: she has lost her legs and many of her illusions.

A Shower of Awards for Audiard and Cotillard

“Rust and Bone” marks the first and only collaboration between Audiard and Cotillard. And it is safe to say, the Oscar-winning actress for her role in “La Vie en Rose” made a wise decision to stretch the truth to secure her role in this film.

Together, Audiard and Cotillard have garnered numerous accolades: the Étoile d’Or for Best Female Lead, Étoile d’Or for Best Film, César for Best Adaptation, Crystal Globe for Best Actress, Crystal Globe for Best Film, Best Director at the Lumières Awards, Best Film at the London Film Festival, and the Swann d’Or for Best Film at the Cabourg Film Festival.

Not to mention the nominations at the Cannes Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, the Golden Globes, and the BAFTA Awards. Quite a list!

Cotillard’s performance is particularly compelling, while the technique used to realistically portray her character’s amputation is striking. Audiard utilized digital special effects to achieve this.

The actress, whose career spans over four decades, wore tall kneepads during filming, which allowed the editing team to easily identify her shins for digital removal. The result is nothing short of remarkable.

Rated 4.3 out of 5 by the national press, “Rust and Bone” attracted no fewer than 1.8 million viewers in theaters. A true success for this emotional gem, which stands as one of the most beautiful works of both Jacques Audiard and Marion Cotillard.

Tonight on Arte at 9 PM

Interview with Jacques Audiard, Matthias Schoenaerts: “Rust and Bone”: