Final Cut: An Unconventional French Tribute to Z Movies

 By José Alberto Hermosillo 

“Final Cut” is a frenetic dark comedy about a film crew becoming zombies while making a Z movie. 

What seems like a clumsy French parody of the Japanese “cult film” “One Cut of the Death” by Shin’ichirô Ueda becomes a massive tribute to “Z movies” by Academy Award-winning director Michel Hazanavicius (“The Artist” and “The Search”).

Oscar-winning director Michel Hazanavicius. Photo by film critic José Alberto Hermosillo. 
Copyright © Festival in LA, 2022

In “Final Cut,” Michel Hazanavicius pays tribute to those who tirelessly work in the film industry. Their skills and resourcefulness keep the essence of the filmmaking process alive. The team comprises technicians, producers, actors, and those who make movies even without dialogue. The relationship between the filmmakers and the film itself is a symbiotic yet challenging collaboration, even if the result is a complete disaster. According to the director, making a movie is heroic, even if it is a flop.

In 2020, during the first lockdown, Hazanavicius wanted to work on a comedy when the German producers, who had secured the rights to the Japanese “cult classic,” offered him the golden opportunity to remake that successful Asian box-office hit in France. The idea was brilliant and perfect for what he wanted to do during the pandemic. Hazanavicius saw some weird situations in the original that inspired him to juxtapose these images with his French reality. You can start with a script based on a book and, in this case, based on a movie. The original writing was challenging, and adapting to a European version was even more difficult.

In the movie, as in real life, problems arise, such as shooting an extended scene on a full memory card without realizing it. The original Japanese director said he understood his movie even more while watching the French version.

The first “one-shot” sequence is 33 minutes long. It took much preparation, from drawing the storyboard through many rehearsals with the actors, cinematographer, props, makeup, sound, and the rest of the crew, until everything came together. They used 54 cameras to capture every angle and every actor’s actions and reactions. They shot that specific sequence four times over four days, up to the final take, and it was still not that great, according to the director.

To differentiate between the movie and the making-of film, the director used various post-production techniques, such as color saturation, timing, and texture, so the audience could follow both storylines easily.

Michael Hazanavicius’ career ranges from experimental, quirky films to the most formal and academic productions. “Final Cut” is a very personal movie about making a movie. The question always arises: why did the director want to place himself in such a problematic situation by presenting an embarrassing project to the masses? He said that, in his defense, his films are always made in joyful sets with positive energy.

Zombie movies are fascinating and profitable. From big Hollywood productions like “World War Z” with Brad Pitt to more independent releases like “Zombieland” and Jim Jarmusch’s “The Dead Don’t Die,” which also competed for the Palmer d’Or at Cannes in 2019. The 2018 French zombie thriller “The Night Eats the World/ La Nuit a dévoré le mondé” depicts a contemporary world where zombies invade Paris.

Other worldwide cult classics are George Romero’s “Dawn of the Dead” and the British production “28 Days Later” by Academy Award-winning director Danny Boyle (“Slumdog Millionaire,” “Trainspotting”). There is also the low-budget British high school zombie musical “Anna and the Apocalypse,” which I loved. 

Other Asian countries have made substantial contributions to the Zombie genre, from “Train to Busan” to the 2016 Zombie Pandemic South Korean animated film “Seoul Station.” One of my favorite Korean genre movies is the extraordinary production “Peninsula.” It is also considered the best Korean Zombie movie, “The Wailing.” 

The Japanese productions have their fan base as well; “Versus,” “Miss Zombie,” “Helldriver,” and “One Cut of the Dead” are among the most popular. Highly recommended is the new apocalyptic Taiwanese zombie thriller “Sadness.”

In recent years, American television series about zombies have been widely successful. “The Last of Us,” with Pedro Pascal, just received 24 Emmy nominations. And “The Walking Dead” ran for eleven seasons.

Romain Duris. Photo by film critic José Alberto Hermosillo. 
Copyright © Festival in LA

In “Final Cut,” all the performers did a hell of a job. Chameleonic French actor Romain Duris (“Eiffel,” “The Confession,” “Populaire,” “The New Girlfriend”) plays Rémi, the hectic movie director, and also Higurashi in the zombie movie within a movie. Duris’s work is synonymous with dedication, perseverance, quality, and excellence.

Michel Hazanavicius’ wife and Oscar-nominated actress Bérénice Bejo play Nadia and Natsumi, respectively. Michel confessed that working with his wife on many projects is easy because they know each other well. She keeps it professional; in the set, she knows he is the boss. He does not congratulate her on a good performance. He likes to give confidence to all of his actors. Their daughter, Simone Hazanavicius, and her friend round out the terrific cast.

Michel Hazanavicius’ next film is an animated feature set during a war, written by his parents’ friend, titled “The Most Precious Cargo.” I cannot wait to see what this incredibly inventive director will do next in animation.

“Final Cut” was selected as the opening piece of the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, where critics trashed the movie without mercy. According to Mr. Hazanavicius, brutal exposure to the international press was intentional. 

The satirical story presented in “Final Cut” is not for everyone, but those who like dark comedies, like me, can feel in heaven watching a cinematic gory feast.

Oscar-winning director Michel Hazanavicius and film critic José Alberto Hermosillo. 
Copyright © Festival in LA, 2022

Final Cut – Michel Hazanavicius – Official U.S. Trailer

Final Cut / Coupez! A Conversation with Academy Award-winning Director Michel Hazanavicius

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COLCOA 2014 Scores High In The LA Film Festival Circuit

By José Alberto Hermosillo

Hollywood, California. April 28, 2014.  COL-COA 2014 (City of Lights – City of Angels) ends up with a high score, bringing the best films, directors, and stars from France to Hollywood's heart. The week of French Premieres in Hollywood was held at the Director’s Guild of America, and it was a complete success; every screening was sold out.  

Photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo.

COL-COA showcases la "crème de la crème" of French cinema in one spectacular week that began with “We Love You, You Bastard” directed by the legendary Claude Lelouch. The Oscar winner director for “A Man and a Woman” (1966). Lelouch introduced the film in person and stayed after for a very interesting Q&A. 

The conversation with him was a treat for film lovers.

The famous star of "Bastatd...," Johnny Hallyday, was present during the screening. 

Photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo.

The Opening Night

The spectacular opening night welcomed everybody with a fabulous “champagne cocktail” at the elegant lobby of the DGA, where the French actors and filmmakers mingled with the crowd.   

During the week, COL-COA presented 61 films, including 20 shorts and 37 North American premieres, and 6 restored classics.

Photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo.

Director Jean-Albert Llèvre, "Flore/Flore, route de la mer."
 Photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo.

COLCOA showcased 4 new award winner documentaries: “On the Way to School,” “Stop-Over” (L’Escale), “How I Come to Hate Math,” and “Flore/Flore, route de la mer,” which won the best Documentary award.

Director Cédric Klapicsh. Photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo.

COL-COA Classics 

A new section was introduced this year of French classics in their restored versions coming back to American theaters very soon. The selection included: "Purple Noon," "The Man Who Loved Women,” “Favorites of the Moon,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Queen Margot,” and “The Murderer Lives at Number 21.”  

Director Cédric Klapicsh and actor
Romain Duris presenting "Chinese Puzzle" to the press.
Photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo.

 A special presentation of “L’Auberge Espagnole” that included a conversation with the acclaimed director Cédric Klapicsh. He also presented the West Coast premiere of his most recent work, “Chinese Puzzle,” which completes his trilogy with “Russian Dolls.”  

Actor Roman Duris. Photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo.

Actor Romain Duris, who plays Xavier in the three films, made an introduction very simple and fun, saying: “Hello, I’m happy. I’m French”. The audience went nuts. In a press conference, I asked Mr. Doris: “How is it to be in bed with “Amélie?” I was making reference to the love scene he has with actress Andrey Tautou in “Chinese Puzzle.” He was speechless, and he only laughed because he was a gentleman.

Photo session. Photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo.

COLCOA Meets the Press

COLCOA is the most press-friendly festival in Los Angeles, with 14 press screenings, 4 press conferences, interviews, photo opportunities, and access to all regular and special screenings. No press members were waiting outside the theaters.

The cast of the raucous comedy "Babysitting." Photo by Jose A. Hermosillo.

Film criticism is fundamental in the filmmaking process. If people wonder why French films have so much press coverage, it’s because someone is doing the job.    

Director Hèiler Cisterne, "Vandal." Photo by Jose A. Hermosillo.

 2014 COLCOA AWARDS: 

- Critics Award: VANDAL

- Critics Special Prize: ONE OF A KIND

- Critics Special Mention THE ROOFTOPS

- Audience Award: TURNING TIDE

- Special Audience Prize: CHINESE PUZZLE

- Audience Special Mention: FOR A WOMAN

  

- First Feature Award: ME, MYSELF, AND MOM

- Best Documentary Award: FLORE

- Coming Soon Award: CHINESE PUZZLE

- Audience Short Award: THE AUDITION

- COLCOA Short Film Award: THE RUNAWAY

Yannick Saillet d. ¨Trapped/Piégé." Photo by Jose A. Hermosillo.

French Films for Everybody

COLCOA met everyone’s expectations in all genres: comedy, suspense, documentaries, and family dramas. The new “French NeWave 2” is in everybody's mouths with films considered as “provocateurs,” such as: “The Age of Panic/La Bataille de Solférino” (one of my favorites), “One of a Kind,” and this year Critic’s Award winner “Vandal,” directed by the young and talented Hèiler Cisterne.

Director Hèiler Cisterne, "Vandal." Photo by Jose A. Hermosillo

COLCOA had filmed for a mature audience made by great directors such as “Venus in Fur” by Roman Polanski, “Young and Beautiful” by Fraçois Ozon, “Not My Type” by Lucas Belvaux, “Love is a Perfect Crime” by Arnaud Larrieu and Jean-Marie Larrieu. “Abuse of Weakness/Abus de faiblesse” by Catherine Breillant, "Abuse..." has the stunning performance of Isabelle Huppert.  

(L.) Diane Kurys, "For a Woman." (R.) Director Hèiler Cisterne, "Vandal."

"For Woman” was an elegant time-period piece, well directed by Diane Kurys, who also told us that her film was autobiographical.

French Comedies Rock

COLCOA presented some risky parodies: “Jackie and the Kingdom of Women,” and comedies like: “Paulette” a drug dealer granny, “Superchondriac,” “9 Months Stretch” and the box office hit “Babysitting.” All comedies were among people’s favorites. 

Actor/director Albert Dupontel, “9 Months Stretch/9 mois ferme.”

“9 Months Stretch/9 mois ferme” is a story of a woman judge working in a court who gets pregnant by a thief. The film was directed and acted by Albert Dupontel, who does a terrific performance of this sneaky outlaw.

French film posters @ DGA Lobby. Photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo.

French Film Industry
  

France has one of the world’s most healthy film industries, with more than 240 productions annually. French films do well at the European box office and are expanding to other markets.

COLCOA Opening night @ DGA. Photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo.

If you missed COLCOA films, most would get a commercial run in US theaters during the year. You can also catch them on demand on other platforms, such as cable and video.  You want to know more about where the French films will be playing, you can join the COLCOA Facebook page.

The exterior of the DGA. Photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo.

COLCOA, helmed by executive producer & artistic director Francois Truffaut, has been one of the best film festivals in Los Angeles. The organization was pristine.

COLCOA'S 18 ft. Anniversary Cake. Photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo.

We’ll see you at #COLCOA 2015 for more French films that everybody loves.