"The Captive of Bordeaux": details and facades surrounding the incarceration

From opulent mansions to the local laundry, an unexpected friendship unfolds

At first glance, Alma and Mina seem to inhabit different worlds. The former, a wealthy and carefree woman living in luxury, and the latter, a hardworking single mother juggling two jobs. Yet, fate - or necessity - brings them together: the visiting room of the prison where their husbands are incarcerated. "The Prisoner of Bordeaux," coming out this week, centers around this unlikely bond and the transformation it sparks in both women.

Originally, the script, co-written by François Bégaudeau and Pierre Courrège, took a different turn. "The friendship between the rich woman and the poor woman was there, but as a bit of a side plot," explains Patricia Mazuy, the film's director. "There wasn't the melodramatic aspect, the fairy-tale side. And there wasn't this paradoxical thread about a seemingly harmful action that turns out to be beneficial."

Yet, through multiple revisions and collaborations with François Bégaudeau, the friendship between Alma and Mina was transformed into the heart of the story. "The quality of the dialogue was already there, especially in Alma's humor and self-deprecation," says Mazuy.

Isabelle Huppert, renowned for her subtle and moving performances in films like "The Piano Teacher" and "Elle," brings Alma to life. For Mazuy, Huppert was the perfect choice for the role: "I wanted to push Isabelle towards a character she hasn't often played: a real sweetheart, a completely lost sweetheart. It's a kind of role she hasn't often played."

Mazuy working with Huppert wasn’t a new experience. In fact, she directed a film with Huppert, titled "Saint-Cyr." Whenever they crossed paths, Huppert would suggest making another film. So Mazuy sent her a script version, allowing her to develop Alma’s character with Huppert in mind.

Hafsia Herzi, newcomer to the Mazuy's films, plays Mina. To embody the character, Mazuy asked Herzi to gain some weight and embrace a more flamboyant style, referencing her to Italian comedy for inspiration.

"The Prisoner of Bordeaux" is not just a film about actresses, it's about these particular actresses – Isabelle Huppert and Hafsia Herzi. When talking about Huppert, Mazuy's voice fills with affection and admiration: "Isabelle is someone who never stops. Even more so lately: it's crazy. She's always on the go."

Mazuy's collaboration with Hafsia Herzi, in their first joint project, is both challenging and exciting. "Hafsia, I had seen and liked her first film as a director. For this role, I asked her to play bigger and give her a more flamboyant register, like Italian comedy."

Despite the limited budget and tight shooting schedule, "The Prisoner of Bordeaux" boasts inspired filmmaking, seamlessly blending documentary realism within the prison and unobtrusive symbolism outside its walls. Through well-choreographed scenes, we delve into the isolation felt by both women, even as they stand tall amidst their respective struggles.

"They are queens of solitude," sums up Mazuy. "One has love but is in survival mode, while the other is in absolute void. I wanted to infuse complexity into these women, while not shying away from confronting these clichés, in order to transcend them."

From experiencing an unpredictable friendship to confronting personal struggles, "The Prisoner of Bordeaux" will challenge your views and tug at your heartstrings. Catch it on the big screen starting May 2.

Inspired by true events and anchored in emotional authenticity, "The Prisoner of Bordeaux" is more than just a film; it's a thought-provoking, heartfelt journey into the complexities of human connections. Don't miss out on this cinematic masterpiece.

Despite initial script revisions, the friendship between the French woman, Alma, and the single mother, Mina, became the central focus of the movie "The Prisoner of Bordeaux," which features Isabelle Huppert as Alma and Hafsia Herzi as Mina.
To embody Mina's character, Hafsia Herzi was encouraged to gain weight and adopt a more flamboyant style, reminiscent of Italian comedy.
In an interview, Patricia Mazuy, the film's director, described the main characters, Alma and Mina, as "queens of solitude," each facing personal struggles despite their seemingly contrasting worlds.
"The Prisoner of Bordeaux" is set to premiere in May, inviting viewers to experience an unexpected friendship and delve into the complexities of human connections, transcending common clichés.