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The hedgehog (Le hérisson) - Josiane Balasko, Garance Le Guillermic, Togo Igawa, Mona Achache

Threat advisory: High - High risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

Renée (Josiane Balasko) is the concierge of a grand Parisian apartment building, who meets with society's expectations of what a concierge should be; reliable though totally uncultured. But beneath this façade lies the real Renée: passionate about culture and the arts, and more knowledgeable in many ways than her employers, with their outwardly successful but emotionally void lives.

Meanwhile, several floors up, 11-year-old Paloma Josse (Garance Le Guillermic) is determined to avoid the pampered and vacuous future laid out for her, and in an effort to show how absurd her life is decides to film the people around her. But unknown to them both, a sudden acquaintance with their elegant and enigmatic new neighbour, Mr Ozu (Togo Igawa), will change their life forever.

The hedgehog (Le hérisson) is a moving story about love, life and the beauty of unexpected friendships.

Theatrical propaganda posters

The hedgehog (Le hérisson) theatrical one sheet image

Target demographic movie keyword propaganda

Film comedy drama France teen coming-of-age philosophy suicide apartment neighbour French cat janitor concierge camera

Persons of interest

Josiane Balasko .... Renée Michel
Garance Le Guillermic .... Paloma Josse
Togo Igawa .... Kakuro Ozu
Anne Brochet .... Solange Josse
Ariane Ascaride .... Manuela Lopez
Wladimir Yordanoff .... Paul Josse
Sarah Lepicard .... Colombe Josse
Jean-Luc Porraz .... Jean-Pierre, le clochard
Gisèle Casadesus .... Mme de Broglie
Mona Heftre .... Mme Meurisse
Achache Samuel .... Tibère
Valérie Karsenti .... La mère de Tibère
Stéphan Wojtowicz .... Le père de Tibère
Isabelle Sobelmann .... Anna Arthens
Chantal Banlier .... Maria Malavoin
Jeanne Candel .... La coiffeuse
Miyako Ribola .... Yoko
Nao Inazawa .... Le cuisinier japonais
Muriel Barbery .... Author: L'élégance du hérisson
Mona Achache .... Screenwriter
Mona Achache .... Director

Cinematic intelligence sources

The hedgehog (Le hérisson) official movie sites:

Australia
International

The hedgehog (Le hérisson) film production notes
The hedgehog (Le hérisson) movie trailers:

QuickTime
YouTube

Awards and film festivals:

Cairo International Film Festival 2009: Won: Best Director (Mona Achache), FIPRESCI Prize (Mona Achache), Silver Pyramid (Mona Achache), Special Award (Mona Achache); Nominated: Golden Pyramid (Mona Achache)
Valladolid International Film Festival (Semana Internacional de Cine de Valladolid) 2009: Won: Best Music (Gabriel Yared)

NB: French and Japanese language dialogue with English language subtitles
Studios and distributors:

Madman Entertainment

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

Do you want to know the difference between a tragedy and a comedy? If they live, then it's a tragedy; if they die, then it's a comedy. That's the joy of existential thinking. The French have cornered the market on this. Even when they get it wrong, it's still better than anyone else's. The hedgehog (Le hérisson) is life among the little people. This is what it's like to be poor, to be working class, to be ugly. Even when I was "down and out" in Auckland and Perth, deep down I knew that it was just a novel experience: grist for the mill. I called mummy and got her to send me some more money. The hedgehog doesn't have that option: she's at the end of her life, she's achieved all that she will achieve, any lights must be hidden under a bushel. Sucks to be her.

Then comes the dramatic driver: a chance at happiness, if only she can overcome a lifetime of misery to reach for it. Slowly, so slowly, she uncurls from her protective roll, her spikes laying flat, and just when it's safe to go back in the water... blam! Comedy! You gotta love this sort of shit. Forget comedians, people in relationships are the funniest things in the universe.Tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight, as the man said.

The actors are all perfect in their casting and their performances. Not one is cursed with Hollywood handsomeness so you know that they were all chosen based on talent and skill rather than box-office pull. French dramas are made by artists, not accountants.

And there are cats. French cats. Lots of them.

The comedy, drama, France movie The hedgehog (Le hérisson) is directed by Mona Achache and stars Josiane Balasko, Garance Le Guillermic, Togo Igawa.