Introduced
to American audiences with his hit “Irma Vep”, director
Olivier Assayas followed it with this film, which deals with the passage
from carefree adolescence to the reality of responsible relationships.
“Fin août, début septembre” focuses
on a year in the life of Gabriel, a man in his early thirties. Despite
a tender friendship with his ex-girlfriend Jenny, he chooses to end
the relationship, affirming the more serious passion he has with Anne.
Much of Gabriel’s time and emotional energy is focused on fostering
the fragile ego of his older friend Adrien, a writer whose recent
novels have failed to reach the success of his earlier work. When
an old illness begins to take its toll on Adrien’s physical condition,
Gabriel and his friends are forced to take notice that time is passing
and that they are growing older. Taking stock of his own life and
decisions, Gabriel finds his perspective on the world has changed
forever. Originally given the title of “Snapshots,” “Fin
août, début septembre” captures the experiences
of these young friends through a series of episodes, fluidly bound
together by the powerful rhythm of the African music soundtrack and
roaming camera.
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| PHOTO Courtesy
of Zeitgeist Films |
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