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Certified Copy (Copie Conforme)

World Panorama

Synopsis

Abbas Kiarostami, whose poetic dialogue, rural landscapes and allegorical themes have earned him widespread acclaim throughout international cinema circles, tackles new challenges with this elegant comedy-drama starring renowned French actress Juliette Binoche and British opera singer William Shimell. As his first narrative feature shot outside Iran, the film also marks departures from his usual ultra-low budgets, amateur crews and non-professional actors - not to mention everything that comes with a liberating freedom of expression. The result has been widely (and agreeably) compared with Rossellini's "Journey to Italy," yet it also stands on its own as a welcome accompaniment to Kiarostami's more serious oeuvre. Set in a rustic Tuscany village, the story involves a traveling English author who befriends a local gallery owner, and together they travel to the village of Lucigano. As they drive along the picturesque roads of Tuscany, they talk about everything from art to marriage. What begins as a simple day trip evolves into a role-playing game that questions the actual relationship of these seeming strangers. Binoche and Shimell are dynamic together, naturally and delicately handling Kiarostami's nuanced dialogue. A hit at this year's Cannes Film Festival, where Binoche won the best actress award, "Certified Copy" is certifiably a new direction for this always-engaging director.

About the Directors

Abbas Kiarostami
Born in Iran, Kiarostami founded the cinema department at the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children & Young Adults, where he directed his first short films. "A Taste of Cherry" in 1997 marked his entry into the ranks of award winners and "Certified Copy" marks his first production outside of his native country.

Credits

Director

Abbas Kiarostami

Screenwriter

Abbas Kiarostami

Producer

Abbas Kiarostami, Nathanaël Karmitz, Marin Karmitz, Charles Gillibert, Angelo Barbagallo

Editor

Bahman Kiarostami

Director of Photography

Luca Bigazzi

Production Designer

Giancarlo Basili, Ludovica Ferrario

Executive Producer

Gaetano Daniele

Cast

Juliette Binoche, William Shimell, Jean-Claude Carriere, Agathe Natanson

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