Silk (2007-France/Japan)
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Profile
- Movie: Silk
- Romaji:
- Japanese:
- Director: François Girard
- Writer: Nami Iguchi, Yuka Honcho
- Producer:
- Cinematographer:
- Release Date: September 11, 2007
- Runtime: 112 min.
- Language: English, Japanese
- Country: Canada / France / Italy / UK / Japan
Plot
Sensual and bewitching, Silk is a daringly erotic story with a breathtaking historical sweep. It is the most recent gem from Festival favourite François Girard, the director of the award-winning The Red Violin, who is no stranger to lush period pieces laced with obsession and ill-fated lust. With an all-star cast that includes Michael Pitt, Miki Nakatani, Keira Knightley, Koji Yakusho and Alfred Molina, Silk is a cinematic powerhouse in every sense, its story a whispered elegy to a love so powerful it threatens to demolish a man’s life.
Silk is based on the best-selling novel by Italian author Alessandro Baricco, which has enthralled readers worldwide over the past decade. The story follows Hervé Joncour (Pitt), a nineteenth-century French silkworm merchant who is married to the beautiful Hélène (Knightley). When a strange disease depletes Hervé’s supply of the precious insects, he becomes a smuggler, travelling to Japan for its store of silkworms. Although Japan in 1861 is largely closed to trade with the outside world, he manages to cut a deal with an enigmatic nobleman who agrees to sell him all of the eggs he requires.
While in the intrigue-ridden Japanese court, Hervé catches sight of a mysterious woman. As soon as their eyes meet, Hervé is entranced. They do not touch or speak to one another. She gives him a note, but he cannot read it until he returns to his own country and has it translated. When he does, Hervé becomes consumed by thoughts of the woman as if by a waking dream. He makes a second trip to Japan for silkworms, and the two begin a secret affair. Hervé falls deeper and deeper into a trance – until his wife grows suspicious.
Silk transports us back to a Japan whose centuries-long resistance to foreign trade is just beginning to crumble in the face of encroaching modernity. Following Hervé’s path through Japan, Italy and Egypt, the film has a geographical authenticity that makes its rapturous narrative all the more enveloping. Girard spins a rich, hypnotizing tale as enchanting as the gossamer thread after which it is named. -- TIFF
Cast
- Sei Ashina - The Girl
- Michael Pitt - Hervé Joncour
- Tony Vogel - Café Verdun Man #1
- Toni Bertorelli - Verdun
- Keira Knightley - Hélène Joncour
- Kenneth Welsh - Mayor Joncour
- Martha Burns - Mme. Joncour
- Alfred Molina - Baldabiou
- Michael Golding - Clerk
- Carlo Cecchi - Priest
- Chiara Stampone - Béatrice Berbek
- Marc Fiorini - M. Chabert
- Leslie Csuth - M. Loiseau
- Toru Tezuka - Japanese Guide
- Hiroya Morita - Japanese Elder #1
- Akinori Ando - Ronin
- Jun Kunimura - Umon
- Kanata Hongo - Japanese Boy
- Koji Yakusho - Hara Jubei
- Dimitri Carella - 2-Year-Old Ludovic
- Dominick Carella - 2-Year-Old Ludovic
- Callum Keith Rennie - Schuyler
- Naoko Watanabe - Japanese Girl
- Honjo Hidetaro - Shamisen Player
- Nana Nagao - Geisha #1
- Saki Aoi - Geisha #2
- Hiroshi Oguchi - Japanese Elder #2
- Michio Akahane - Japanese Elder #3
- Yuya Takagawa - Japanese Trader #1
- Taro Suwa - Japanese Trader #2
- Katy Louise Saunders - Brothel Hostess (as Katy Saunders)
- Miki Nakatani - Madame Blanche
- Max Malatesta - Customs Officer
- Joel Adams - 4-Year-Old Ludovic
- Luca De Bei - Café Verdun Man #2
- Ed Licht - Diplomat (as Edward Licht)
- Domenico Procacci - Ambassador
- Nicola Tovaglione - 10-Year-Old Ludovic
- Francesco Carnelutti - Doctor
- Mark Rendall - Ludovic Berbek
- Maddalena Maggi - Brothel Hostess #2
- Makoto Inamiya - Japanese Trader / Elder
- Makoto Matsubara - Japanese Trader / Elder
- Yuki Kawanishi - Japanese Trader / Elder
- Hidenori Shimizu - Japanese Trader / Elder
- Hiroki Takano - Japanese Trader / Elder
Trailer
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