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Sunday, March 26, 2017

Film: Friends From France



Friends from France (a.k.a. Les Interdits) is a multilingual film about two cousins from France traveling to the USSR to help Soviet Jews escape to Israel. The vast majority of the film takes place within the one week they are in the USSR, and centers around their relationship with each other, and with their Jewish identities. I was struck by how, if only some lines were changed, the entire film could be about a sibling couple and there would be very little difference, except for the fact that everyone would be less open talking about it. Both of the main characters grew up together in a refugee camp, and their push and pull dynamic is reminiscent of other types of intense, but frowned upon relationships. The film isn't a thriller, or a mystery, but more of a personal drama about self-discovery and human connection.

The whole film can be watched on YouTube with English subtitles. It's not a fast paced movie, but it's not long either - just 90 minutes, which is rare these days. I liked it, though I'd say I enjoyed some other movies more.

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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 27, 2017 at 12:08 AM

    Hey :) I finished watching it myself and wrote a general opinion piece on it: http://rainbowamory.tumblr.com/post/158876890649/friends-from-france-movie-personal-reflections

    I think it's the push-and-pull that you describe that I find really annoying about the movie.. but it's also very realistic and represents what I'm sure many such pairs feel. The more I research this stuff the more I begin to see that there really are similarities between sibling love and cousins love, with the main difference being level of stigma... So it's interesting to see you mention that too.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownMarch 27, 2017 at 12:36 AM

      Read your article. Really great analysis. I agree with pretty much everything you wrote. :)

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMarch 27, 2017 at 2:01 PM

      Thank you :) I'm glad we both felt the same.

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  2. AnonymousMarch 30, 2017 at 3:59 PM

    We need more positive representations of Consanguinamory in media to show the public there's nothing wrong with these relationships. If you're in, want to be in, or were in a consanguineous relationship or if you have feelings for a relative(s) feel free to join the Supporting Consanguinamory group on Facebook. Also, feel free to follow my Tumblr Supporting Consanguinamory. We CAN and we WILL end win this fight, love will win out over hate.

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/1070068529734952/?ref=bookmarks

    https://supportingconsanguinamory.tumblr.com/


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