DREAM LIFE OF ANGELS, THE

SYNOPSIS:
Isa (Élodie Bouchez) is 21; all her possessions fit into a backpack and she lives a tough gypsy life, but she remains optimistic. One day she arrives in Lille, and meets Marie (Natacha Régnier), also 21, and a loner, too, but for different reasons. Uncomfortable with the company of others and rebelling against the constraints of her working class background, Marie hides her loneliness behind a tough, aloof exterior. Their friendship, hopes and dreams, struggle amidst a real and harsh existence.

"It's no surprise that this powerful and emotionally resonant French film has been a critical success since its original release last year. A film about the power of friendship and the tragic consequences of loneliness, Dreamlife of Angels is a haunting, poetic and deeply rewarding piece of cinema. Director Erick Zonca, who also co-wrote the script, gives us an insight into the hearts and minds of two vulnerable women, trying to survive poverty and loneliness, through their own dependence on one another. Yet Zonca refuses to emotionalise these characters, making the film uncompromising in its honesty and realism. featuring two standout performances from remarkable actresses Élodie Bouchez and award-winner Natacha Régnier, Dreamlife of Angels is a complex, powerful and intricate film, and remains an unforgettable cinema experience."
Paul Fischer

"Accolades and applause follow this film, and at its premiere at Cannes in 1998 (where I saw it), the film drew an appreciative response from the crowd of 2,500 film critics and writers, industry guests and godknowswho. I felt a forlorn figure in the sea of waving and clapping as the credits rolled, sitting there quite still, anxiously waiting to get out and breathe fresh night air. I recognise the strikingly honest and vulnerable performances, the originality of the film and the memorable filmmaking – but I just didn’t connect with the two girls, which meant I was a frustrated observer instead of an emotional participant. I was even irritated for much of the time by these characters, which is a sure way to kill off any enjoyment. So there it is; maybe you should go see, and tell us what you think."
Andrew L. Urban