Isabelle Adjani, Roman Polański
SEASON OF STARS: ISABELLE ADJANI
This screening is part of ’Season of Stars’ which aims to showcase and propel into the spotlight those unique actors/actresses that have graced our screens over the past century.
Director Roman Polanski casts himself in the lead of the psychological thriller The Tenant. Trelkovsky (Polanski) rents an apartment in a spooky old residential building, where his neighbors - mostly old recluses - eye him with suspicious contempt. Upon discovering that the apartment's previous tenant, a beautiful young woman, jumped from the window in a suicide attempt, Trelkovsky begins obsessing over the dead woman. Growing increasingly paranoid, Trelkovsky convinces himself that his neighbors plan to kill him. He even comes to the conclusion that Stella (Isabelle Adjani), the woman he has fallen in love with, is in on the "plot."
ISABELLE ADJANI
Isabelle Adjani is one of the most prolific French actresses of all time. In a career that has spanned 45 years, Adjani is the only actress to have won five César Awards. As a young woman Adjani was chosen to play the lead role in Francois Truffaut's film The Story of Adela H. which brought her the recognition of critics and a nomination for an Oscar in 1976. She was lauded by the press who called her the greatest film personality since Jeanne Moreau, describing her acting talents as “prodigious”. She went on to become one of the most popular actresses in France. Werner Herzog’s 1979 remake of Nosferatu was similarly adored, with Roger Ebert’s describing the casting of Adjani one of his “masterstrokes” in the film. In 1981, Adjani won Best Actress for her unique performance in the cult horror film Possession by Andrzej Zulawski at Cannes Film Festival, which propelled her to international stardom in the realm of arthouse cinema.
During her film career, she would work with some of the most revered filmmakers including: Francois Truffaut, Roman Polanski, Andrzej Zulawski, Patrice Chereau, Andre Techine, Werner Herzog, James Ivory, Carlos Saura.
Next film with Isabelle Adjani - Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) by Werner Herzog - 6th April at 19:30 pm
DIRECTOR: ROMAN POLAŃSKI
Starring: Roman Polanski, Isabelle Adjani, Melvyn Douglas, Jo Van Fleet
Music: Philippe Sarde
Cinematograhy: Sven Nykvist
France
1976
126 MINS
RATING – 18
Doors 7.00 PM
Film 7.30 PM
Incredible talented French actress Isabelle Adjani
“The Tenant works so well is because it’s not strictly about madness, though that is its narrative form. It’s about emotional isolation that has become physical.”
“This creepy psychological thriller, dealing with paranoia and split identity, is one of Polanski’s most underestimated films. ”
“Inexplicable and dreamlike The Tenant is a rabbit hole of obsession and distrust. ”
