Τα Πάνω Κάτω|Innocent

Louis Garrel writes, directs, and co-stars alongside Noémie Merlant, in a purely entertaining film with an inventive screenplay telling the story of the perfect heist and the revelation of true love. A well-crafted comedy superbly balancing between farce and subtle irony, nominated for 11 Cesar Awards.

The son of an older woman who works as a prison drama teacher freaks out when he finds out that his mother is about to marry a convicted robber who is soon to be released. The son will do anything to protect his mother, yet the encounter with his future stepfather will have unpredictable consequences.

Director’s note (Louis Garrel):
Everything started from my mother’s true story: she got married in prison just like the character in the film. Later on, I got on well with my stepdad, who opened the doors for me towards another world of which I knew nothing. My mother used to work in prison for 20 years. From the age of 11, I started spending time with people released from prison, who sometimes even returned there. I used to spend time with them, then stopped seeing them. At home, I have always met pleasant and interesting men and women since my mother worked in prisons for women, too. Today, some of them have become writers. That is how I got the chance to meet these politically marginalised intellectual people, to whom I am attracted.

The film is divided in two sections. The first part is an entertaining story, and the second part is an action film. Moreover, during the restaurant scene, my intention was to combine a romantic scene “à la Marivaux” with a heist scene. As far as the “Innocent” featured in the title, this refers to the stepfather’s character, then mine. When committing a crime for noble reasons, you are somehow innocent; something not so ethical in legal terms, I must admit. It reminds me of that line in Renoir’s The Rules of the Game: “The real hell of life is everyone has his reasons”.

François Truffaut used to say that everyone loves mainstream pop because they can relate to the lyrics. You feel like the songwriter is talking about your life. I tried to make a “pop” film in which anyone can recognize themselves.

Written and directed by: Louis Garrel
Screenplay: Louis Garrel, Tanguy Viel in collaboration with Naïla Guiguet
Cast: Louis Garrel, Noémie Merlant, Roschdy Zem, Anouk Grinberg
Music: Grégoire Hetzel, Cinematography: Julien Poupard
Editing: Pierre Deschamps, Sound: Laurent Benaim, Alexis Meynet, Olivier Guillaume
Costumes: Corinne Bruand

Supported by Creative Europe MEDIA, European Union
Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Role Cesar Awards, 2023.

Film reviews:
“Irresistibly funny” - Elle (France)
“Vibrant and hilarious” - Libération
“Entertaining, clever, touching” - Le Monde

Rialto Cinema @SEK Parking Place

All films will be screened in their original language with Greek and English subtitles.

Duration: 99'

Tickets: €8