Amour in Cinema on 19th July 2013

The award-winning Franco-Austrian movie Amour, directed by Michael Haneke, will be in cinemas from 19th July nationwide, as part of the "World Cinema Fest" festival organised by Ster Kinekor-Cinema Nouveau.

I had the privilege to be invited to the movie premiere on 26th June organised by the French Institute, Alliance Française and Ster Kinekor-Cinema Nouveau.

The film is an intimate account of an elderly couple facing their greatest challenge in the twilight years of their lives. Georges and Anne are in their eighties. They are cultivated, retired music teachers. Their daughter, also a musician, lives abroad with her family. One day, Anne suffers a stroke which leaves her paralyzed. The couple's bond of love is severely tested.

To be honest, the entire movie room was silent for the entire duration of the film. We could hear some people crying across the room and some even left before the end. The movie is an encounter of the couple's last few weeks. Set in their apartment, no outside scene at all... but you get so sucked into the story that you barely notice until the end. This is despite the "depressing vision" a beautiful love story and very inspiring for all of us.

All I can really say is that after the movie, we all went out to have a strong drink. It opens your eyes to what is yet to come but even more about the real deep love between a man and a woman and the way they stand by each other's side until death does them apart.

Palme d'Or - 2012 Cannes Film Festival

Best Foreign Language Oscar 2013 - 85th Academy Awards