"Exploring Paris": An inquisitive family embarks on a quest through the City of Lights
In the heart of France, a captivating dramedy titled Colors of Time (originally "La Venue de l'avenir") is making waves. Directed by Cédric Klapisch, the film interweaves events from the present day and the late 19th century, creating a unique dialogue between eras.
Four distant relatives - Seb, Abdel, Céline, and Guy - find themselves on an unexpected family adventure when they are tasked with assessing an old, long-abandoned house in rural Normandy. As they explore the property, they uncover hidden treasures and numerous documents that lead them to the story of a mysterious young woman named Adèle.
Adèle, a character in the story, defies societal conventions and leaves Normandy at the age of 20 to start a new life in Paris during the industrial and cultural revolution of 1895. This was a time when photography was emerging and Impressionism was flourishing. Adèle meets two young men, Anatole and Lucien, who are freedom-loving and aspiring in their respective fields of painting and photography.
The film parallels the present-day experiences of the cousins with Adèle's life in Paris, creating a fascinating dual timeline setup. As the cousins retrace their genealogy and become deeply involved in uncovering Adèle’s story and historical context, they are prompted to re-examine their present lives, values, and ideals. The narrative emphasizes how the past shapes the present and questions the meaning of "the coming of the future" itself.
The film is characterized by atmospheric Paris images, strong actors, and a touching story about the power of family bonds. Scenes elegantly shift between Normandy and Paris of the past and present, with Adèle climbing the stairs along the Seine in one scene and someone from the present jogging down in the next.
"Colors of Time" also includes a séance that sends the group on a hallucinatory trip directly into an impressionist exhibition of the 19th century. The film, as its name suggests, lives up to its promise, offering an enchanting experience with charm and lightness. However, it should be noted that while historical reality is beautifully depicted, social hardships, especially for women, remain somewhat pale.
The story takes place in both Normandy and Paris of the past, providing a rich tapestry of historical and cultural transformation. The characters engage in passionate debates about painting and photography with historical figures like Sarah Bernhardt, Victor Hugo, and Claude Monet.
Four heirs, despite their differences, find themselves connected through this journey and a forgotten family history. Adèle, for instance, is raised by her grandmother and only knows her mother through an address. Among the heirs, there's a quirky beekeeper, an exhausted engineer, a teacher on the verge of retirement, and an ambitious web producer.
In the present day, the dilapidated house in Normandy is being replaced with a shopping center and parking lot, adding a poignant layer to the story. Colors of Time is more than just a film; it's a exploration of identity, heritage, and cultural transformation across time.
Cédric Klapisch, the director of "Spanish Apartment" and "The Wine and the Wind", has once again created a masterpiece that invites us to reflect on our own lives and the role of the past in shaping our future.
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