Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Wonderfully shot film about the special relationship between two outsiders: an opium-addicted sailor and a precocious, 10-year-old Chinese girl.
95'
Belgium
IFFR 2020
As a guest at the film festival in Hong Kong, director Marion Hänsel - the daughter of a dredger/port builder - became intrigued by the city and wanted to shoot a film there. Everything came together when she read the short story Li by Greek author Nikos Kavvadias.
Situated in Hong Kong, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is largely set on board a ship that cannot leave port due to the shipping company's bankruptcy. Stephen Rea plays the opium-addicted, Greek-Irish radio operator Nikos, who has vivid memories of an Englishwoman he impregnated and deserted. When 10-year-old Chinese girl Li comes aboard, he is initially reticent, but soon her optimism and incisiveness rouse him from his lethargy. Their special relationship results in a tender, beautifully shot film with meditative music by Wim Mertens.
IFFR 2020
- 95'
- Belgium
- 1995
- Director
- Marion Hänsel
- Countries of production
- Belgium, France, United Kingdom
- Year
- 1995
- Festival Edition
- IFFR 2020
- Length
- 95'
- Medium
- 35mm
- Languages
- English, Cantonese
- Producers
- Mark Forstater, Marion Hänsel
- Production Companies
- Mark Forstater Productions Ltd, Man's Films Productions
- Sales
- Cinematek
- Screenplay
- Louis Grospierre
- Cinematography
- Bernard Lutic
- Editor
- Susana Rossberg
- Music
- Wim Mertens
- Cast
- Stephen Rea, Chu Ling, Adrian Brine, Maka Kotto, Mischa Aznavour, Koon Lan Lo
- Director
- Marion Hänsel
- Countries of production
- Belgium, France, United Kingdom
- Year
- 1995
- Festival Edition
- IFFR 2020
- Length
- 95'
- Medium
- 35mm
- Languages
- English, Cantonese
- Producers
- Mark Forstater, Marion Hänsel
- Production Companies
- Mark Forstater Productions Ltd, Man's Films Productions
- Sales
- Cinematek
- Screenplay
- Louis Grospierre
- Cinematography
- Bernard Lutic
- Editor
- Susana Rossberg
- Music
- Wim Mertens
- Cast
- Stephen Rea, Chu Ling, Adrian Brine, Maka Kotto, Mischa Aznavour, Koon Lan Lo
Programme IFFR 2020
Marion Hänsel, à la vie
In response to her recent autobiographical film, this retrospective completes the portrait of a singular voice in filmmaking, writing, producing and acting.
Read more about this programmeLa collection qui n'existait pas
Portrait of Belgian art collector Herman Daled, who sold his collection of conceptual works to the MoMa in 2011.
93'
Belgium
IFFR 2020
Dust
Powerfully depicted study of loneliness, love and power on a South African farm. Jane Birkin in one of her best roles.
88'
Belgium
IFFR 2020