François Ozon channels his idol, filmmaker and playwright Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s life and art, with this striking account of a love triangle.
Peter (Denis Ménochet) is an acclaimed filmmaker with a healthy appetite for life. It’s 1972 and he is at the height of his powers. His assistant Karl (Stefan Crépon) barely hides his feelings for his employer, who shows him no kindness or respect. When Peter’s friend, the singer Sidonie (Isabelle Adjani), pays a visit, she brings along her young companion Amir (Khalil Gharbia), knowing that Peter will fall for him. Soon enough, the two are a couple. But a short passage of time finds the relationship imploding and the emotional shrapnel scarring everyone, from Peter’s mother Rosemary (Hanna Schygulla) and Sidonie to his mostly neglected teen daughter Gabrielle (Aminthe Audiard).
Ozon previously adapted Fassbinder with Water Drops on Burning Rocks (2000), a cinematic reworking of a 1966 play by the German artist. This film is a reworking of Fassbinder’s The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant which was made in the year Ozon’s is set, but it revolved around a lesbian love triangle between a fashion designer, her mute assistant and a young protégée. By changing gender, Ozon’s drama directly links the film’s narrative to what was believed to be a fictionalised account of events in Fassbinder’s own life. And like the film it is adapted from, Peter von Kant is driven by the powerful performances of its cast.
Directed by François Ozon
Running time 85 mins
French with English subtitles
SHOWING TIMES:
Fri 06 Jan: 2pm
Fri 06 Jan: 6pm
Sat 07 Jan: 6pm
Sun 08 Jan: 1.40pm
Tue 10 Jan: 2pm
Tue 10 Jan: 6pm
Wed 11 Jan: 8.30pm
Thu 12 Jan: 4pm
Cost: £8 (£5 student/under 25)
Accessibility Statement: There is a steep slope from the street leading to the main entrance and a flight of stairs up to our front door. More level access is possible by approaching from Exeter Central Library on Castle street. Step-free access to the building is available via a ramped entrance on the side of the building. The side entrance is equipped with automatic doors.
All ground floor spaces are fully accessible with a mix of level flooring and gentle ramps. Level access to accessible toilets is available on all floors. Please ask Box Office for the radar key if needed. We have gender neutral toilets available in Studio 74 and on the first floor.
In the main auditorium and Studio 74 we have raked seating which has steps on either side. The seats have arms. Studio 74 Seat Dimensions; Seat: 17.5" Wide, 18.5" Long (Depth) Back: 19" Wide, 22" Long (Height). If you are a wheelchair user we have removable seats or approriate spaces available in all event spaces to accommodate this.GUIDE DOGS
Guide / Hearing / Assistance Dogs are welcome. If you wish to take your dog into the performance, please let us know when booking your ticket so that we can arrange an adjacent seat.
Patrons with disabilities may also bring a companion free of charge to all Exeter Phoenix promoted events, and most externally promoted events taking place in the venue. Please call 01392 667080 or email our box office team.
SUBTITLED SCREENINGS
A selection of our films are caption subtitled. Caption subtitling is a service that makes our film programme accessible to our d/Deaf and hearing-impaired customers by displaying additional auditory information on the screen. These can be found here. Our film programme also contains many films subtitled into English from other languages. These may also be suitable for our Deaf/deaf and hearing-impaired customers, but won't include additional descriptions of sounds. These can be found here.
AUDIO DESCRIBED SCREENINGS
Each season, an audio description track will be available for a selection of our films. Audio description is a service for partially sighted or blind people, and is similar to listening to a cricket or football match on the radio – the action is described to you. These can be found here.
SENSORY NOTES
The cafe bar plays low level recorded music during the day, with moderately bright lighting. During the evening in the cafe bar the music is louder and the lighting is lower. The cafe bar can become busy at various times which makes it louder.
Events in the auditorium vary depending on what is showing, there will be signage if there is going to be haze, flashing lights or strobe.
The building can be busy with musltiple events happening at the same time, if during your visit you feel you need a quieter space please ask the duty manager who will try to accomodate this where possible.