“I Love You, I Love You” is a science fiction film French 1968 directed by Alain Resnais. It is a sci-fi drama that follows the story of Claude Ridder, a man who joins a scientific experiment that allows him to relive his past through time.
Claude, played by Claude Rich, is a depressed man who tried to commit suicide. He is chosen to participate in an experiment that involves placing a subject in a time machine that allows him to relive his past. However, the experiment doesn’t go as planned and Claude gets stuck in time, reliving the most painful moments of his life over and over.
The film explores the themes of memory, regret and death. The time machine becomes a metaphor for our inability to accept the past and move forward. Resnais also explores the nature of consciousness and identity, suggesting that our perception of ourselves can be manipulated and distorted by our past experiences.
The film was met with mixed reviews upon its release, but has grown into a cult film and acquired a reputation for innovative and avant-garde film. It is considered one of Resnais’ masterpieces and one of the best science fiction films ever made.
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Plot
The plot of the film “I Love You I Love You” follows the story of Claude Ridder, a depressed man who attempted suicide. He is chosen to participate in a scientific experiment that allows him to relive his past through the time machine.
However, the experiment doesn’t go as planned and Claude gets stuck in time, reliving the most painful moments of his life over and over. He begins to travel through his memories, reviewing happy moments with his ex-wife Catrine (played by Olga Georges-Picot), but also the events that led him to his current state of depression and despair.
As Claude continues to travel through time, his consciousness becomes increasingly distorted and the line between past and present becomes increasingly blurred. He begins to lose perception of himself and the world around him. His only hope is to find a way out of the time machine and back to reality.
The film explores the themes of memory, identity, death and regret, through the lens of science and science fiction. Eventually, Claude’s story turns into a painful and moving inner journey, which questions our perception of time and our place in the world.
Movie Characters
Here are the main characters of the film “I Love You I Love You”:
Claude Ridder, played by Claude Rich, is a depressed man who has attempted suicide. He is chosen to participate in a scientific experiment that allows him to travel through time and relive his past.
Catrine, played by Olga Georges-Picot, is Claude’s ex-wife. It appears in her memories, reliving happy and painful moments of their relationship.
Doctor Génessier, played by Michel Piccoli, is the head of the scientific experiment and guides Claude through time travel.
Madame Génessier, played by Anouk Ferjac, is the wife of Doctor Génessier and assists in the experiment.
Doctor Génessier’s assistant, played by Bernard Fresson, helps in conducting the experiment and becomes an important ally of Claude.
There are also other minor characters who appear in Claude’s memories, such as friends, co-workers, and family.
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Production
The film “I Love You I Love You” was directed by Alain Resnais and written by Jacques Sternberg. The production was managed by the Société Nouvelle de Cinématographie (SNC) and the Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française (ORTF).
The film was shot in black and white and has a running time of approximately 91 minutes. The soundtrack was composed by Krzysztof Penderecki, a Polish composer known for his experimental and avant-garde music.
The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1968, but was not well received by critics and audiences. However, over the years it has become a cult film and is considered one of Resnais’ masterpieces. Its sci-fi theme, combined with the drama of Claude’s personal story, make it unique and innovative.
Distribution and Reception
“I Love You I Love You” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1968, but was not well received by critics and audiences upon its release.
However, the film has grown into a cult following and gained popularity over the years due to its unique combination of sci-fi and drama themes. Some critics have called it a masterpiece by Alain Resnais.
In France, the film only earned around €40,000 at the box office, but was better received in other European countries, such as the UK, where it was distributed by the British Film Institute.
In North America, the film was only released in 1976, eight years after its original release. American critics welcomed it, praising Resnais’ direction and Claude Rich’s performance.
Today, “I Love You I Love You” is considered a classic of science fiction and the French cinematography of the 60s, and is appreciated for its innovation and originality.
Movie Style
The style of the film “I Love You I Love You” is typical of the French director Alain Resnais, known for his formal experimentation and mixing of film genres.
The film uses the fragmented editing technique, in which the scenes are cut in a non-linear way, creating an effect of discontinuity that corresponds to the uncertainties of Claude’s memory.
Furthermore, the film’s black-and-white photography contributes to a gloomy and claustrophobic atmosphere, reflecting Claude’s emotional situation.
The subjects of death and depression are dealt with in a profound and emotional way, and the film explores the psychological consequences of the scientific experiment on Claude. Furthermore, the presence of futuristic technology in the film reflects the era’s fascination with innovation and scientific research.
Finally, Krzysztof Penderecki’s soundtrack, with its experimental and avant-garde music, helps add another dimension to the viewing experience of the film.
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Director
Alain Resnais was one of the greatest French filmmakers of the 20th century, known for his formal experimentation and innovation in cinematic storytelling.
Resnais was influenced by French New Wave of the 1950s and 1960s, but developed a unique style that stood out from that of his contemporaries.
Among his best known films are “Hiroshima mon amour” (1959), “Last year in Marienbad” (1961), “Muriel” (1963), “Providence” (1977) and “Mélo” (1986).
“I Love You I Love You” is one of his lesser known films, but it is considered by many critics to be one of his masterpieces.
Resnais was also an innovator in the fields of theatre, documentary and animation. He has received numerous awards during his career, including the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, the Special Jury Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival and the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
Alain Resnais died in 2014 at the age of 91, but his work continues to be appreciated and studied around the world.
