The Crime is Mine - International Films - Independent Films

Overview

Paris in the 1930s — a playground for industrial heirs and debonair architects, but the City of Lights does not shine evenly for all. Struggling actress Madeleine (Nadia Terezkiewicz) and her best friend Pauline (Rebecca Marder), an unemployed lawyer, live in a cramped flat and owe five months’ rent. Opportunity knocks after a lascivious theatrical producer who made an inappropriate advance towards Madeleine turns up dead. Madeleine stands trial for murder and ascends to decadent stardom, with Pauline serving as defense counsel and media circus ringmaster. A new life of fame, wealth, and tabloid celebrity awaits — until the truth comes out. Adapted from a 1934 play by Georges Berr and Louis Verneuil and featuring a murder’s row of a supporting cast including Isabelle Huppert, Dany Boon, and Fabrice Luchini, The Crime Is Mine is a rollicking farce and scabrous satire with a wily feminist edge from one of French cinema’s most chameleonic stylists, François Ozon.

Reactions, Awards & Festivals

New York Times Critic's Pick

Beatrice Loayza

The New York Times

“Wildly entertaining … Ozon whips up a frothy story of murder, romance, blackmail, girl power, and a little bit of old French film history. It’s an escapist sort of frivolity that delights in bad behavior, decadent costumes and lavish sets … The trio of women who lead the movie do an impeccable job of keeping the energy silly yet vibrant.”

Monica Castillo

RogerEbert.com

“Sending up celebrity, the legal system and a medley of movie tropes, Ozon has spun serious ingredients into a zesty soufflé”

Sheri Linden

The Hollywood Reporter

“Full of mischievous wit and brilliantly inhabited by a consummate actress, “La Chaumette” is one of Huppert’s finest comedic performances to date"

B. Panther

Paste Magazine

“A sly slice of feminist triumph”

Screen Daily

“The Crime Is Mine doesn’t take itself seriously and is full to bursting with brilliant lines”

Fabien Lemercier

CineEuropa

Cast & Crew

Madeleine Verdier : Nadia Tereszkiewicz
Pauline Mauléon : Rebecca Marder
Odette Chaumette : Isabelle Huppert
Judge Rabusset : Fabrice Luchini
Palmarède : Dany Boon
Mr. Bonnard : André Dussollier
André Bonnard : Édouard Sulpice
Mr. Brun : Régis Laspalès
Trapu : Olivier Broche
Gilbert Raton : Félix Lefebvre
Pistole : Franck De Lapersonne
Simone Bernard : Evelyne Buyle
The Public Prosecutor : Michel Fau
The Presiding Judge : Daniel Prevost
Madame Jus : Myriam Boyer
Montferrand : Jean-Christophe Bouvet
Céleste : Suzanne De Baecque
Madame Alvarez : Lucia Sanchez
Émile Bouchard : Jean-Claude Bolle-Reddat
Head Waiter : Dominique Besnehard
Bonnard's Secretary : Anne-Hélène Orvelin
Newsreel Voice : Georges Becot

Director : François Ozon
Screenplay : François Ozon
Freely adapted : from the play Mon Crime (1934) by Georges Berr & Louis Verneuil
In collaboration with : Philippe Piazzo
Produced by : Éric & Nicolas Altmayer
Director of Photography : Manu Dacosse
Production Designer : Jean Rabasse
Costume Designer : Pascaline Chavanne
Original Music : Philippe Rombi
Editing : Laure Gardette
Sound : Jean-Marie Blondel, Julien Roig & Jean-Paul Hurier
Casting : David Bertrand & Anaïs Duran
Production Manager : Aude Cathelin
1st Assistant Director : Marion Dehaene
Stills Photography : Carole Bethuel