Question 1

How did Jodie Foster end up with a small role in this French film?

Accepted Answer

Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet met Foster while she was supervising dubbing for another film. Though main roles were taken, she agreed to play Elodie Gordes, speaking French with her own voice.

Question 2

What unusual casting switch occurred due to an actor's illness?

Accepted Answer

Jeunet originally wanted Dominique Pinon as private eye Germain Pire and Ticky Holgado as uncle Sylvain. When Holgado became ill, the studio wouldn't insure him, so Jeunet switched their roles.

Question 3

Why was this film disqualified from French festivals like Cannes?

Accepted Answer

A Paris court disqualified it from French festivals because it had American backing from Warner Bros. and was shown in the U.S., despite the same court ruling it was 'too American.'

Question 4

What is the central conflict driving Mathilde's story?

Accepted Answer

Mathilde searches for the truth about her missing fiancé lost in World War I, refusing to believe he's gone forever and needing to know for sure, learning unexpected things along the way.

Question 5

Which major festivals and awards recognized this film?

Accepted Answer

It was featured at AFI Fest (2004) and Cannes Film Festival (2008), and recognized at Golden Globes (2005) and Academy Awards (2005).

Question 6

How did Jodie Foster end up with a small role in the film despite the main parts being filled?

Accepted Answer

Jean-Pierre Jeunet met Jodie Foster while she was supervising the dubbed version of Panic Room (2002); she agreed to star as Elodie Gordes, speaking French fluently with her own voice.

Question 7

What unusual incident occurred when Jean-Pierre Jeunet met Jodie Foster for casting in Paris?

Accepted Answer

They met at a café used in Amélie (2001), where tourists asked them to move out of the way to take a photo, not recognizing them.

Question 8

Why did Jean-Pierre Jeunet switch the roles of Dominique Pinon and Ticky Holgado during casting?

Accepted Answer

Jeunet originally wanted Pinon as Germain Pire and Holgado as uncle Sylvain, but Holgado's cancer diagnosis led the studio to refuse insurance, so Jeunet switched them.

Question 9

What legal issue prevented the film from receiving French state financial aid?

Accepted Answer

A Paris court ruled it ineligible because it was produced by a company owned by Warner Bros., not a French company.

Question 10

Which major festivals or awards recognized A Very Long Engagement?

Accepted Answer

It was featured at AFI Fest (2004) and Cannes Film Festival (2008), and nominated for Golden Globes and Academy Awards in 2005.

Loved this film?

Share with others

Loved this film?

Share with others

A Very Long Engagement

Customers also watched