Peut-être

This is a surprisingly clever, sardonic and oddly charming science fiction film that manages to be engaging without the usual big budget special effects. The filmmaker instead achieves more witty, quasi-surrealistic results by moving the narrative forward with quirky unanticipated plot twists reminiscent of films such as "Being John Malkovich" (1999). Less is more -- entertaining, that is. Leave it to the French to create a disturbingly plausible future that envisions the outcome of a wasteful disregard of the planet, while simultaneously maintaining a touch of romantic energy and charm. Actor Jean Paul Belmondo looks great for his age and contributes some sage presence to the story. This is a nifty and imaginative French film that should have received a theatrical release in the U.S. for American art house cinema audiences but, alas, somehow never did. It's a surprisingly entertaining little gem of a movie.

The movie is very good, although I wouldn't say brilliant. Jean-Paul Belmondo is a great actor (and a rather familiar face), and his presence alone contributes a lot to the overall impression the movie creates. The soundtrack, however, is simply out of this world. What Loic Dury (DJ Loik) and, I think, Magister Dixit, have created is nothing but a piece of art - it is by far the most amazing soundtrack I've ever heard. Really. I think the movie is more than worth watching if only to listen to it. And, yeah, it's good for your French language skills :)

Arthur is not yet sure that he wants to become a father, but his girlfriend, Lucie, is desperately wants a child. On New Years Eve 1999, Arthur is forced to experience his future and see what the consequences will be like if he does not have children now. He meets his son, Ako who reveals the situation and what he must do. Transported to the year 2070 we expect to find the typical mise-en-scène for a sci-fi film, however, to our great surprise it appears that human life has taken several steps backward and Paris is now completely 'ensablé' - covered sand. There is no time-capsule either; a simple loft-hatch is the portal to a very different Paris. Images of Hausmann style rooftops just sticking above ground level and the Eiffel Tower behind sand dunes is very thought provoking. The costumes are more medieval than 21st century. Thus this film not deals with the issues of relationships and the fate of individuals it gives a shocking reminder of the possible effects of man's mishandling of the environment. It also makes us think of the personal decisions we make and how that can affect the lives of others. In terms of cinematography this film is also impressive with the use of various camera angles and shots and the special effects necessary to create such surreal scenes.

The beginning of the film is well contrived to trick the viewer for a few moments. Nevertheless, the plot remains quite uneventful after the first ten minutes and the ending is very predictable. The film tries to show too many scenes and characters and does not allow the main three characters to be developed fully. We struggle to see whether the film is mainly a thought-provoking sci-fi, comedy or romantic film. Apart from Arthur the degree to which he characters are not surprised by the events is absurd. Any romance between Arhur and Lucie is also marred by the interruptions of feeble sexual humour. The sound track in the film, however, is actually well constructed and employed to provide links between present and future times. The abrupt stops in music provide suspense for the viewer and the tracks are taken from both contemporary French and English language music.

Overall you will be disappointed by this film if you were expecting more than a light drama but it is still reasonably entertaining and a very original piece of cinema.

This film is surprisingly good, if you let yourself be drawn in by it. Just sit back, relax and turn up the volume a bit, because the soundtrack is really brilliant: if you're a music lover, you'll love this strange tale with great musical timing....

Brilliant film. It's about a young couple going to a y2k party, she wants a baby there and then, he's not sure and through a little incident the chance is lost. He then accidentally finds a way into the future and encounters his son (Belmondo) who is starting to lose his leg because he's not made yet. The whole future family tries now with different methods to persuade him to change his mind or they are all lost. I say no more I saw it with english subtitles and missed probably some of the more in-jokes, but even though a thoroughly enjoyable experience. You have a film with a rather serious background ( reasons for having a baby or not, while thinking about the future), great actors ( have a look at the totally stoned brother), loads of enjoyable little sequences ( the beginning is great . I thougth first I was in the wrong movie; and then the next ten minutes relate very nicely to the title, pay attention to details there). The Paris in the sand is very well done with loads of details in the background. All in all if you have some French, go and see it.