The Golden Age is a new French period drama and feature debut from the multifaceted filmmaker Jenna Suru, who wrote, directed, produced, and stars in the film. Having already received positive reviews and Awarded Best Foreign Feature following the released in the US, The Golden Age will now have its European premiere as the Opening Gala film for the London Independent Film Festival.
The film takes placed in the south of France and Paris in May 1967. It follows Sebastian (Sebastien Cipolla), a penniless French-American producer living in Los Angeles, who following his mother’s footsteps returns to France, to flee the Vietnam War. He meets Angèle (Jenna Suru), an ambitious theatre actress, who performs in small Parisian theatres in front of empty seats.
They are both desperate to change the world and decide to embark on an artistic project together, ending up in a little village in the South of France: Saint-Tropez… In this village tinged with artistic revolution and music, the experiences they have together will soon force them to face up to their choices, but how far are they willing to go to change this world that doesn’t work for them?
The Golden Age looks to incorporate the essence of 1960’s Saint-Tropez and was filmed in 35 original locations across the South of France and Paris. The cinematography encompasses the natural scenery of how the locations look today, without any additional restorations being made for the film. This includes the film’s opening shot of Notre Dame, which is now the last fictional drama to be shot before the fire.
Music plays an important part in the film and three original songs from the time were acquired, so new recordings could be reinterpreted for the film. The songs selected include McKinley Morganfield’s (Muddy Waters) ‘I can’t be satisfied’; Chuck Berry’s ‘You Two’ and Jimmy Reed’s ‘Bright Lights, Big City’
“At this time, there were so many artists who went to Saint-Tropez, who were inspired by this village, who carried out projects together. My ambition for this feature film was to bring back the Saint-Tropez of the sixties, with all its beautiful landscapes, its beautiful village, obviously the music too – because it’s something that has never been before. I think it’s so important because it can inspire today’s artists, tell them … even if you feel like you’re not very important, that you’re not famous, you can still change things. The film gives some ideas for that” says Jenna.
The Golden Age will make its European Premiere at the Opening Gala film for the London Independent Film Festival on Friday 13th March and will be followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Jenna Suru.
You can find out more about the London Independent Film Festival on their website and purchase tickets for The Golden Age at the opening Gala here
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!
