Le Deuxième souffle by Alain Corneau opened the official competition at the RomeFilmFest. The film is based on the eponymous book by José Giovanni (already providing inspiration for Jean Pierre Melville in 1966). This new production marks the zenith of the director who brought us the film noirs Le Choix des armes and Série noire, a genre in which he has always been a passionate performer and unsurpassed innovator.
The cast – one of the most impressive French cinema line-ups in recent years – brings together Daniel Auteil (Gu), Monica Bellucci (Manouche), Eric Cantona (Alban), Michel Blanc (inspector Blot) as well as genuine noir icons such as Jacques Dutronc (Orloff) and Daniel Duval (Venture Ricci).
Monica Bellucci dyed her long, dark hair to play the curvy role clad in tight sequin dresses who falls for Daniel Auteil “Gu” Minda. For such transformations she said was inspired by Brigitte Bardot.
