Keswick Film Festival

Synopsis

Inspired by a 1913 book by Colette about her experiences in early music halls, this road-movie fulfils Amalric's objective of translating her tale to a modern setting. Amalric himself stars as Joachim, an ex-television producer who has returned to France to manage a troupe of dancers he assembled while in the States. These burlesque ladies are the real deal, an experienced, worldly-wise bunch who work hard and play hard, strutting their stuff around the ports of France. The touching plot is worked out against the background of the troupe’s witty routines (more tease than strip), appealing retro music and outrageous costumes, as they perform for actual audiences during the filming.

At Cannes 2010 La Tournée won the FIPRESCI (critics’) Award, and Amalric received the award for Best Director.