CAPTIVES – PARTY OF FOOLS

Paris, 1894.  Who is Fanni, who claims to be volun- tarily locked up in a women-only mental institution? Searching for her mother among the multitude of so-called “madwomen”, Fanni discovers a commu- nity of modern heroines who defy her expectations, along with the unexpected friendship of fellow patients. The sumptuous and renowned “Party of Fools” of the asylum is in preparation. Politicians, artists, and socialites will flock to it. It’s her last hope of escaping the closing trap… 

• Moving, very well researched and buoyed by an incredibly impressive cast of actresses, this historical drama directed by Arnaud des Pallières never slides into voyeurism. What it shows, in an overtly fictionalised fashion, is the sad reality of existence and the monstrousness of a social system which sees diversity as a flaw.
  Cineuropa 

• Around Mélanie Thierry and her enigmatic blue eyes that magnetize the camera, Josiane Balasko as “Bobotte”, the good-natured general supervisor, Marina Foïs as a rigid nurse, Carole Bouquet as a musician with limited ambition or Dominique Frot, as an alcoholic prostitute, each in turn delivers an impressive score in this voluntarily excessive and disturbing ensemble film.
  Translated from an excerpt of  La Croix review 

• For, in addition to addressing the place of women in society at the end of the nineteenth century, her work, which has a necessarily political aspect, appears as an ode to the resistance, and succeeds, through all these female characters – and especially through that of Mélanie Thierry, the heroine – to echo current feminist struggles.
  Translated from an excerpt of “l’avenir” review 

• Ce drame historique dont le climax se situe lors du Bal des folles tient autant à l’atmosphère visuelle de l’ensemble qu’au casting, avec, en tête, le personnage de Fani défendu avec ardeur par Mélanie Thierry. 
  Le Point 

• Australia, 2024-The Alliance Française French Film Festival – Unveiling Shadow 
• The Netherlands, 2023 – TAPIS ROUGE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL IN THE NETHERLANDS – Official selection 
• Switzerland, 2023 – HELVETIA FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL – Grand Premieres 
• Belgium, 2023 – FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL FU FILM FRANCOPHONE DE NAMUR – Official Competition