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Before the Winter Chill

Avant l'Hiver

FEATURE FILM 103'
Drama

Philippe Claudel and Kristin Scott Thomas reunite in a subtle and fascinating story
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Directed by

Philippe Claudel (I've Loved You So Long- Best Film Not in the English Language at the BAFTA Awards)

Starring

Daniel Auteuil (Le Brio, 36, Hidden, The Girl on the Bridge)
Kristin Scott Thomas MULTI-AWARDED ACTRESS (The English Patient, I've Loved You So Long, Sarah's Key)
LeĂŻla Bekhti (The Source - Cesar-nominated for Best Actress, All that Glitters, A Prophet)
Richard Berry (22 Bullets, The Valet, Ruby & Quentin)

Production

Yves Marmion and Romain Rojtman - Les Films du 24

2013 / Original language: French / Color / 2.39 / Dolby SR SRD / available in hd & 2k

Philippe Claudel and Kristin Scott-Thomas reunite in this subtle story of a man in the autumn of his life, torn between a loving wife and his dangerous attraction for a troubled, mysterious young woman.
Paul has never questioned his choices. Married right out of med school to the stunning Lucie, who set aside her own career to accommodate his brilliant one as a brain surgeon, he has been faithful, has earned the respect of his peers, raised a son and built a lovely home. Life is good.
But now, in the autumn of his life, something might threaten all that. It starts after a chance meeting with young and mysterious Lou who keeps turning up in his life.
When roses are delivered daily at his office and home, Paul presumes Lou is stalking him, yet he can’t resist the lure of an ambiguous and dangerous relationship with her.
Fascinated by her emotional frailty, her mystery and grace, Paul fails to see that he might be the target of a sinister plot, something dark and twisted that could threaten everything he’s built and everyone he loves.

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Telluride Film Festival 2013
In Official Selection



Ghent Film Festival 2013
In Official Selection


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"Elegantly cool"
"Kristin Scott Thomas looks exceptionally good"
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

“A film of great finesse”
“Impeccable acting”
LE MONDE

"Philippe Claudel gives us a moral tale of surgical precision, yet full of tenderness”
“Suspense tuned to perfection”
LE FIGARO

“Brilliant actors”
PARIS MATCH

“A troubling film performed by actors in perfect harmony”
LE PARISIEN

“A feature film between drama and thriller, with melancholy accents reminiscent of Sautet’s films.”
LE NOUVEL OBSERVATEUR

“A troubling thriller with perfect acting”
FIGARO MADAME

“A dark and delicate white-collar drama, with the ever-fabulous Auteuil surrounded by huge talents”
JOURNAL DU DIMANCHE

“Fine color work, precise framing, remarkable acting”
VERSION FEMINA

“Philippe Claudel knows how to make all these important characters endearing”
TELERAMA

“Daniel Auteuil takes on a role in the tradition of Claude Sautet”
“A must-see”
FRANCE INFO

“A beautiful, melancholy film, between thriller and intimate drama”
“AVANT L’HIVER captivates you with its delicate atmosphere”
LA CROIX

“An impeccable comedy-drama with French flair”
“A feature film between drama and thriller, with melancholy accents reminiscent of Sautet’s films.”
CINE OBS

“The plot keeps you on edge the whole way through”
MARIE-CLAIRE

“An amazing and troubling story”
FRANCE 3

“A beautiful film”
FRANCE 2 (Telematin)

“Philippe Claudel’s AVANT L’HIVER reminds us of the writing in Claude Sautet’s films”
FRANCE 2 (news)

“A deep and moving film with magnificent acting by Daniel Auteuil, Kristin Scott Thomas, Leila Bekhti and Richard Berry”
TF1 (news)



“Daniel Auteuil is wonderful in this soberly painful film”
FOCUS VIF (Belgium)

“Between Sautet and Haneke”
LA LIBRE BELGIQUE (Belgium)

“Claudel proves that he is one of France’s best contemporary storytellers.”
CINENEWS BE (Belgium)



“A dramatically impeccable thriller”
20 MINUTES (Switzerland)

“KST blazes, Daniel Auteuil sparkles”
24 HEURES (Switzerland)

“A relationship drama with the tension of HIDDEN”
L'EXPRESS (Switzerland)


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