Arnaud (58) and Jean-Marie (59) Larrieu, two nearly conjoined twins from Lourdes, entered the cinematic arena in 1999 with Fin d'Eté (Summer's End). In addition to recurring film shoots in their home region of Montagne Noire, they bring a joyful eclecticism, a highly personal way of approaching genres and a unique art of cultivating utopias – without compromise or disillusionment and never going round in circles.
They share 25 years of filmmaking fraternity – a miracle in itself – and are an inspiration that boldly holds its ground. Proof of this is Le Roman de Jim (Jim's Story), adapted from a novel by Pierric Bailly (P.O.L, 2021), their ninth feature film which spans 20 years, portraying the cruel separation and unlikely reunion of a stepfather and stepson after the mother tears him away from his love. It's a dry and poignant melodrama that might be their most beautiful film yet.
Jean-Marie Larrieu: The issue wasn't quite framed in those terms. We loved the novel, and the main question for us was: How do we convey its message through cinema?
Arnaud Larrieu: For us, adaptation is also the perfect opportunity to venture into territory that isn't fundamentally ours. But this cruelty, particularly through the character of Florence, played by Laetitia Dosch, was undeniably present in the novel.
JML: However, we did everything to soften it anyway; we embrace our "Renoirism": Everyone here has their reasons ...
AL: Yes, but even in the novel, there is a complexity in the character that goes beyond her cruelty. Though, dramaturgically speaking, yes, she's the villain.
JML : No, she's not loaded with such heavy connotations. The characters in our film don't think of themselves. Let's just say that the scene you're referring to, where she lashes out at her friend, is a big outburst of anger. We'd rather say that there are unconscious strategies at work here.
AL: The violence she undoubtedly inflicts on Aymeric isn't something she wants to do. She's doing what she thinks is best for her and her son.
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