François Ray

In an ultra-realistic narrative style reminiscent of the masters of Belgian cinema and their first Palme d’Or in 1999 (Rosetta, starring the late Émilie Dequenne), Laura Wandel takes the viewer into a single environment, in real time at the heart of a hospital’s paediatric ward. Following the head nurse played by Léa Drucker, we gradually become immersed in the plot and the bonds she forms with a distressed mother and her 4-year-old child. Frédéric Noirhomme, SBC, 1.86 metres tall, was responsible for filming this deep dive into the hospital environment of our Belgian neighbours, who seem just as overwhelmed and suffering as our own... L’Intérêt d’Adam (Adam’s Interest) will therefore open the 2025 Critics’ Week with a special screening. (FR)

Dans une forme narrative ultra réaliste qui ne peut qu’évoquer celle des maîtres du cinéma belge francophone, et à leur première Palme d’or en 1999 (Rosetta, porté par la regrettée Émilie Dequenne), Laura Wandel emmène le spectateur dans un quasi huis clos en temps réel au cœur du service pédiatrique d’un hôpital. Suivant l’infirmière en chef interprétée par Léa Drucker, on s’enfonce peu à peu dans l’intrigue et dans les liens qu’elle va nouer avec une mère en situation de détresse et son enfant de quatre ans. C’est Frédéric Noirhomme, SBC, qui, du haut de son 1,86 m, s’est chargé de filmer en caméra portée cette plongée en apnée dans le milieu hospitalier de nos voisins belges qu’on sent tout aussi débordé et en souffrance que le nôtre... L’Intérêt d’Adam fait donc l’ouverture en séance spéciale de la Semaine de la Critique 2025. (FR)

Shot on the island of Chiloé, in southern Chile, Brujeria is a fantasy film in which history and politics intertwine in an unexpected and very animalistic way. Set in the late 19^th century, at a time when European settlers were arriving alongside the newly formed Chilean state, the script depicts the rebellion of a native teenager when her father is unjustly killed by his German employers. 
This is the second feature film by Christopher Murray, a filmmaker whose academic work in anthropology inspired the subject matter. The cinematography is by María Secco, AMC, who is originally from Uruguay but lives and works in Mexico City. We talk to her about the making of this spellbinding story, which has been selected for the "Contemporary World Cinema" section at Camerimage 2023. (FR)

"The Deal" is a series that recreates a recent historical event by showing the inner workings and behind-the-scenes of an international negotiation on the shores of Lake Geneva. Steeped in the atmosphere of realistic spy series and films (including "The Bureau"), where the plot is conveyed largely through the relationships between characters rather than through action per se, it is also a kind of closed-door drama set in a luxury Swiss hotel. The setting is reminiscent of Edward Berger’s recent film Conclave, in which other international negotiations were taking place within the Vatican. Adrien Bertolle is the director of photography for this six-episode series, directed by Jean-Stéphane Bron, co-produced by Arte & Gaumont, and in international competition at Séries Mania. (FR)

Directed by Laure de Butler ("Syndrome E" for TF1 or "Irrésistible" for Disney), the "37 secondes" series tackles an unsolved mystery dating back to January 15, 2004, the sudden sinking of the trawler "Bugaled Breizh" in international waters south of Lizard Cape. Solidly documented and filmed at the scene of the tragedy, this 6-episode series produced for the Arte Channel has been selected in French competition at this year’s Séries Mania. Benjamin Louet, who shot the images, talks to us about the filming process, where history and fiction coexist intimately. (FR)

For his first TV series in 20 years, British director Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride & Prejudice, Anna Karenina) has chosen a kind of first-person narrative to depict the rise of fascist power. Taking distances from the pure historical reconstitution seen in Darkest Hour, his previous biopic about Winston Churchill, Wright’s series "M" plays out almost like a hypnotic and relentless show, with Luca Marinelli, now bald headed, regularly addressing the camera (Best actor Prize in Lille 2025). Once again is cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, BSC, ISC, ASC, behind camera. A longtime friend and collaborator of the British filmmaker, for this series. (FR)

Shot over 80 days between November 2023 and April 2024, the new French mini-series on Apple TV+ recreates the Napoleonic era in a project that combines espionage, haute cuisine and politics. At the heart of the story, which evokes a pact with the devil, is an ambitious young chef who quickly achieves fame and success through his connection with Talleyrand. Matias Boucard, AFC, is the director of photography for this series - in association with Éric Dumont, AFC - directed by Martin Bourboulon (The Three Musketeers). Laurent Héritier, as gaffer, took care of the many electrical setups on location around Paris and in the studio in Bry-sur-Marne. Premiering at the Séries Mania Festival, the series will be available on Apple TV+ in late April. (FR)

After Jeune femme (Caméra d’or at Cannes in 2017) and Petit frère, French filmmaker Léonor Serraille now offers a portrait of a young man, portrayed by Andranic Manet, who plays the lead role. Ari is a character full of contradictions who is navigating between malaise and hope, and who suddenly discovers a role in his life that he hadn’t anticipated. Sébastien Buchmann, AFC, is responsible for the images in this film, produced by Arte as part of a series on youth. (FR)

Certainly one of the standout series of Series Mania 2025, "Querer", co-written and directed by Spanish filmmaker Alauda Ruíz de Azúa, gives voice to women facing domestic violence and paints a stark portrait of contemporary Spanish society and family dynamics. Told over four episodes (filmed in 11 weeks), each serving as a chapter in a long and painful struggle for this mother (portrayed brilliantly by actress Nagore Aramburu), the series is also a visual gem, where every frame and especially every camera movement seems meticulously composed and designed to serve the story. We spoke with Sergi Gallardo, the cinematographer of this series, which won the Grand prize in Lille. (FR)

Le Locataire, de Roman Polanski, a été réédité en Blu-ray aux États-Unis. Une édition de qualité après la restauration du film. Les bonus contiennent des entretiens avec Polanski, Sylvette Baudrot, sa scripte, et moi, assistant de Sven Nykvist (Bruno de Keyzer était mon second). C’est mon entretien que je mets en ligne. Certains seront surpris par mon enthousiasme mais tels sont mes souvenirs. (FC)

Récemment diplômé de La Fémis département Image, j’ai eu le privilège d’être membre du Jury du Prix CST de l’Artiste-Technicien 2019. Ce jury était présidé par Pierre-William Glenn, directeur de la photographie-réalisateur et président d’honneur de la CST, et composé de Christine Beauchemin-Flot, directrice du cinéma Le Sélect à Antony, Patrick Bézier, président de Audiens Care, Gérard Krawczyk, réalisateur, cinéaste, Elisabeth Perez, productrice chez Chaz Productions, et moi-même.