The Annunciation of Marie
Encyclopedia
The Annunciation of Marie is the English-language title of the 1991 critically acclaimed French-Canadian film L'Annonce faite à Marie, an adaptation of the play of the same name by Paul Claudel
.
, Quebec
, Canada
and Civry-la-Foret
, France
.
on 18 December 1991. It also premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival
on 15 February 1992.
Paul Claudel
Paul Claudel was a French poet, dramatist and diplomat, and the younger brother of the sculptor Camille Claudel. He was most famous for his verse dramas, which often convey his devout Catholicism.-Life:...
.
Production
The director of this film, noted French stage and film actor Alain Cuny, was for years a friend and associate of the diplomat, playwright and symbolist poet Paul Claudel (1868-1955), whose sister Camille was perhaps better known outside the French-speaking world. In fact, one of Cuny's last movie performances was in the 1988 film Camille Claudel, based on the sculptress' life. Before he died in 1955, the playwright asked that Cuny direct a picture based on his play L'Annonce faite a Marie, and in this somewhat stage-bound production, he is honoring that request. It was filmed in MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Civry-la-Foret
Civry-la-Forêt
Civry-la-Forêt is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France.-References:*...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Plot
Set at the time of the Crusades, it tells the story of love and tragedy, intermingled with mysticism. Jacques is betrothed to marry Violane, a beautiful and gentle woman. When she discovers that she has leprosy, however, the marriage is off, and she retires to a life of prayer at an isolated hermitage. Instead, Jacques marries her sister Mara. When Jacques and Mara's child dies shortly after birth, Mara implores her saintly sister to come out of isolation to bring her child back to life.Release
The film was released in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
on 18 December 1991. It also premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
on 15 February 1992.