The Stranger Trailer: François Ozon’s Highly Regarded Adaptation of Albert Camus is Set to Premiere in April

      Following the path of Luchino Visconti, François Ozon has presented a fresh interpretation of the classic novel The Stranger by Albert Camus. This highly praised film features a cast that includes Benjamin Voisin, Rebecca Marder, Pierre Lottin, Denis Lavant, and Swann Arlaud. In anticipation of its New York premiere this week at Film at Lincoln Center’s Rendez-Vous with French Cinema, along with a theatrical release starting on April 3, Music Box Films has released the new trailer.

      The synopsis reads: “Meursault (Benjamin Voisin) is employed as a clerk in an office in Algiers during the period of French colonial rule. A reserved individual, Meursault's routine is disrupted by the unexpected passing of his mother. At her funeral, he encounters judgment from those around him due to his lack of visible grief. His reputation for emotional detachment permeates all facets of his existence, from his hesitant romance with Marie (Rebecca Marder) to his indifference towards career progression. As Meursault becomes entangled in a cycle of escalating conflicts with his neighbors, tensions reach a climax when he kills an Arab man on the beach. While a Frenchman might have various justifications for shooting an Arab in Algeria, Meursault’s lack of excuses or remorse profoundly affects colonial society. Shot in striking, sensuous black-and-white, François Ozon’s reimagining of Camus’s classic tale of existential ennui stands as a significant adaptation, remaining true to the original text while exploring new angles.”

      Zhuo-Ning Su commented in his review from Venice, “The key aspect that Ozon’s film captures is the moral and philosophical dilemmas that shape its central character. Although Visconti’s adaptation was technically remarkable, bolstered by Marcello Mastroianni’s passionate and empathetic performance, it fundamentally misconstrued the source material. Meursault is not meant to be sympathetic or emotionally intense; each time Mastroianni tugged at the audience's heartstrings with his sincere, tear-filled eyes, it undermined Camus’ cold, startling perspective.”

      Watch the trailer below.