Arnaud Desplechin Discovers the Melody in U.S. Trailer for Two Pianos

      It has been quite a while since a film by the acclaimed Arnaud Desplechin graced U.S. theaters, but that will change this May when Kino Lorber releases Two Pianos. Featuring François Civil, Nadia Tereszkiewicz, and Charlotte Rampling, this selection from TIFF and Rendez-Vous with French Cinema will hit theaters on May 1, and a new trailer and poster have now been unveiled.

      Here’s the synopsis: “Pianist Mathias (François Civil) returns to Lyon after years spent teaching and performing in Japan. He’s called back to share the stage with his former teacher Elena (Charlotte Rampling) during her final concerts—an encounter with a demanding mentor that turns out to be less intimidating than the unexpected meeting with his charismatic yet unpredictable ex, Claude (Nadia Tereszkiewicz). François Civil, one of France’s rising talents (who rigorously prepared to perform Bach on-screen himself), makes a fitting counterpart for the iconic and typically commanding Rampling. The themes of psychologically complex homecomings and the surprising reunions they can bring—both romantic and otherwise—are a recurring element in Desplechin’s films, a thematic exploration he revisits in his distinctive, vibrant style set against the backdrop of a city he has yet to depict on film.”

      C.J. Prince noted in his TIFF review, “The past makes its presence felt in Two Pianos, Arnaud Desplechin’s latest venture delving into how beautiful individuals exacerbate the inherent messiness of life. Set in the classical music scene of Lyon, this story of a tormented pianist reuniting with his equally troubled first love features the literary and melodramatic qualities typically associated with Desplechin, who, having not had a theatrical release since 2017’s Ismael’s Ghosts, has unfortunately lost favor in the U.S. However, he continues to thrive in his home country, maintaining a prolific career that draws some of France’s finest actors. With Two Pianos, he has crafted a rich, introspective examination of how we can navigate our lives shaped by our deepest regrets.”

      Check out the trailer and poster below.