BON VOYAGE European Showcase

The canvas is writ large – it is 1940 and the Germans have just invaded France. Yet the daily dramas of people’s lives keep on playing out affairs, plots and deaths continue even as the world crumbles.

The story begins with the “accidental” death of a lover, an event giddy Viviane (Isabelle Adjani) tries to conceal from the police and her friends, including a high-ranking politician (Gerard Depardieu). She is helped by Frederic (Gregori Derangere), a young admirer and writer. Meanwhile, Frederic meets a young student (Virginie Ledoyen) who is desperately trying to help a professor keep bottles of heavy water from falling into the hands of the Germans.

France’s official submission for Best Foreign Language Academy Award®, BON VOYAGE daringly places high farce and bedroom antics up against the tragic events of war-which is rarely seen, but certainly felt. Director Jean-Paul Rappeneau (CYRANO DE BERGERAC) keeps the pot bubbling in the most urbane way.