May - June 2009

Yvan, writer-director (and sometimes actor) Bouli Lanners, Ultranova), casts himself as a quick-tempered, 40-year-old vintage car dealer, who arrives home one night only to discover young Elie, an inept young burglar, trying to rob him. But rather than beating him up for the intrusion, he develops a strange affection for him, which includes taking him home to his parents in his old Chevrolet. Thus begins the start of an odd journey across Belgium, with wide-screen images that suggest the American West. Wacky rural humor and a yearning for country roads run smack into urban decay. Eldorado strikes a just-so balance between sadness and absurdist humor, while the score by Renaud Mayeur evokes the road-movie mood, with just a hint of ironic parody. The instinctive mix of stylistic savvy and beautifully nuanced content makes Eldorado a droll and idiosyncratic addition to the Belgian Noir pantheon and distinguishes Bouli Lanners as a film-maker deserving of wider acclaim.

Directed by Bouli Lanners, Belgium, 2008, 35mm, 80 mins. In French with English subtitles.

Official site     YouTube trailer     Director interview     FIPRESCI     Variety

New York Times     Village Voice     New York Post     NewCity Chicago

Chicago Sun-Times     Chicago Reader        

Showtimes:
Fri., May 29 at 7 & 9 pm
Sat.-Sun., May 30-31 at 3, 5, 7 & 9 pm
Mon.-Thurs., Jun. 1-4 at 7 & 9 pm

Tickets:
$9 general admission
FREE for Facets Members!

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For all Cinémathèque inquiries, contact Charles Coleman at 773.281.9075 or charles@facets.org