Laure Prouvost's 'They Parlaient Idéale' nominated for short film prize at International Film Festival Rotterdam

They Parlaient Idéale debuted as the central component of Prouvost's solo project for the French pavilion at this year's Venice Biennale, Deep See Blue Surrounding You / Bois Ce Bleu Profond Te Fondre. The work takes the form of a filmed journey of a group of cross-generational performers from Northern France to Venice, and focuses on three main themes, the first being identity and generations. What links or distances us from each other: the eldest from the youngest, the neighbour from the stranger? Secondly, disconnection, incomprehension and discrepancy are explored through language and its appropriation, or misappropriation. The final themes are the notion of utopia and surrealism.

Representing an escapist journey, both tangible and imaginary, towards an “ideal” elsewhere, They Parlaient Idéale is based on a script co-written by Laure Prouvost and various contributors, in French and English with some Italian, Arabic and Dutch passages. An array of characters are performed by people of different ages and backgrounds with specific performance skills that include magic, dance, and music. The cast recount tales throughout their travels, and find common ground through their shared desire to pursue their individual talents. The featured architectures throughout the group's journey reflect the notion of utopia and the ways in which it has previously been pursued, such as the Tours Nuages of the Cité Pablo Picasso in Nanterre, built between 1973 and 1981.

Find more information about the IFFR's Ammodo Tiger Short Competition here.