''Giorgino'' is a 1994 French

thriller film Thriller film, also known as suspense film or suspense thriller, is a broad film genre that evokes excitement and suspense in the audience. The suspense element found in most films' plots is particularly exploited by the filmmaker in this genre. ...

directed by Laurent Boutonnat.

Plot

It is October 1918 and the war-stricken Giorgio Volli ( Jeff Dahlgren) returns to the

orphanage An orphanage is a residential institution, total institution or group home, devoted to the care of orphans and children who, for various reasons, cannot be cared by their biological families. The parents may be deceased, absent, or abusi ...

where he had been working as a care-taker before the war. Upon arrival, he discovers the wife of the orphanage owner has committed

suicide Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Risk factors for suicide include mental disorders, physical disorders, and substance abuse. Some suicides are impulsive acts driven by stress (such as from financial or ac ...

. His attempts to save her are fruitless. Soon after, it is revealed that the house is abandoned, and the children died under unclear circumstances. The only survivor is a girl, Catherine (

Mylène Farmer Mylène Jeanne Gautier (; born 12 September 1961), known professionally as Mylène Farmer (), is a French singer and songwriter. Having sold more than 30 million records worldwide, she is among the most successful recording artists of all time ...

). Giorgio follows the mystery to a small village bordered with a treacherous marsh where the locals are terrified of wolves. Through speaking with the secretive locals and the mystifying Catherine, Giorgino finds out that the orphanage owner, Doctor Degrâce, was involved in psychiatric experiments with children, which may have caused the abandonment of the orphanage. Doctor Degrâce's autistic daughter, Catherine, is the only witness to what unfolded in the orphanage, and Giorgino develops a tumultuous relationship with her as he begins to uncover the mystery of the small village.

Cast

* Jeff Dahlgren : ''Giorgio Volli'' *

: ''Catherine Degrâce'' *

Jean-Pierre Aumont Jean-Pierre Aumont (born Jean-Pierre Philippe Salomons; 5 January 1911 – 30 January 2001) was a French film and theatre actor. He was a matinée idol and a leading man during the 1930s, but his burgeoning career was interrupted by the Second ...

: ''Sébastien Degrâce'', Catherine's father *

Joss Ackland Sidney Edmond Jocelyn Ackland (29 February 1928 – 19 November 2023) was an English actor who appeared in more than 130 film, radio and television roles. He was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for portraying ...

: ''The priest Glaise'' *

Louise Fletcher Estelle Louise Fletcher (July 22, 1934 – September 23, 2022) was an American actress. She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of the antagonist Nurse Ratched in the film '' One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (1975), which earned her numero ...

: ''The innkeeper'' *

Frances Barber Frances Barber (née Brookes, born 13 May 1958) is an English actress. She received Olivier Award nominations for her work in the plays '' Camille'' (1985), and '' Uncle Vanya'' (1997). Her film appearances include three collaborations with ...

: ''Marie'' *

Albert Dupontel Albert Dupontel (; born 11 January 1964) is a French actor, film director and screenwriter. Following his father's path, he studied medicine but eventually switched to theater, disillusioned by hospital life. He started his career as a stand-up ...

: ''Orderly, the crippled nurse'' * Christopher Thompson, Christian Gazio : ''The young captain'' *

Su Elliot Su Elliot (born 18 December 1950) is a British actress. She was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England. Her film roles include Alice in '' The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood'' (1984), a nurse in '' The Girl in a Swing'' (1988), Mar ...

: ''Marthe'' *

Janine Duvitski Janine Duvitski (born Christine Janine Drzewicki; 28 June 1952) is a British actress, known for her roles in the BBC television sitcom series '' Waiting for God'', ''One Foot in the Grave'' and ''Benidorm''. Duvitski first came to national atte ...

: ''Josette'' * Richard Claxton : ''Raoul'' *

John Abineri John Abineri (18 May 1928 – 29 June 2000) was an English actor. Born in London, he attended the Old Vic drama school and described himself as "Well educated from the age of five to eighteen". He spoke a number of languages (including Germa ...

: ''Dr. Jodel'' * Anne Lambton : ''Mother Raoul'' *

Valérie Kaplanová Valerie is generally a feminine given name, derived directly from the French ''Valérie'' (a traditionally female name). Valéry or Valery is a masculine given name in parts of Europe (particularly in France and Russia), as well as a common surna ...

: ''The old woman'' * Lillian Malkina: ''Mrs.Vennepeyn'' * Jana Andresíková: ''Mme Forestier''

Production

The film was shot in 1993 in

Prague Prague ( ; ) is the capital and List of cities and towns in the Czech Republic, largest city of the Czech Republic and the historical capital of Bohemia. Prague, located on the Vltava River, has a population of about 1.4 million, while its P ...

and produced by Heathcliff and Polygram Filmed Entertainment. It was distributed by French company

Pathé Pathé SAS (; styled as PATHÉ!) is a French major film production and distribution company, owning a number of cinema chains through its subsidiary Pathé Cinémas and television networks across Europe. It is the name of a network of Fren ...

for theatrical release.

Reception

The film, produced by Laurent Boutonnat and in which Mylène Farmer starred, was both a critical and financial failure. Released on 5 October 1994, it was seen by barely 25,000 spectators in the first week and was the first setback in Farmer's career. As a result, the musical duo separated on bad terms before eventually getting back together for Farmer's 1995 album

Anamorphosée ''Anamorphosée'' is the fourth studio album by Mylène Farmer, released on 17 October 1995. Led by the number-one single " XXL", the album was something of a departure from her previous work. Although it received mixed reviews from critics, the ...

Soundtrack

; Soundtrack (released on December 3, 2007) : ;; Edition Super Jewel Box # "Ouverture" (3:52) # "Le Vent et la Neige" (1:14) # "La Route de Chanteloup" (1:05) # "L'Orphelinat" # "Les Montagnes noires" (2:11) # "En calèche" (2:19) # "À Catherine" (1:26) # "Giorgino theme" (3:37) # "Levée du corps" (0:46) # "L'Abbé Glaise" (1:45) # "Giorgio et les Enfants" (3:09) # "La Nursery" (3:09) # "Retour à l'orphelinat" (2:30) # "L'Armistice" (1:42) # "La Valse des baisers" # "Giorgio et Catherine" (3:49) # "Docteur Degrâce" (4:31) # "Morts pour la France" (2:28) # "Les Femmes dans l'église" (1:41) # "Les Funérailles" (2:37) # "Petit Georges" (1:21) # "Sombres Souvenirs" (2:34) # "Le Christ et les Cierges" (1:41) # "Menteur" (3:30) # "Le Marais" (1:50) # "Final" (7:43)

References

External links

* 1994 drama films 1994 films English-language French films 1990s English-language films 1990s French films {{1990s-France-film-stub