Backstage (2005)

Directed by: Emmanuelle Bercot | 112 minutes | drama | Actors: Emmanuelle Seigner, Isild Le Besco, Noémie Lvovsky, Valéry Zeitoun, Samuel Benchetrit, Édith Le Merdy, Jean Paul Walle Wa Wana, Mar Sodupe, Lise Lamétrie, Claude Duneton, Joëlle Miquel, Julien Bossé, Fulvia Collongues, Anne-Lise Heimburger , Sandy Lakdar, Marjolaine Pottlitzer

The French production ‘Backstage’ from 2005 never made it to the Dutch cinema. That is somewhat understandable. The film is not even remotely like the kind of chat film that the art house crowd is so fond of, while the general public is still a bit wary of non-English films. It’s a shame, because ‘Backstage’ is definitely worth it for any unbiased movie buff. The combination of a well-thought-out script, rock-solid acting and dormant eroticism should still be attractive enough.

‘Backstage’ revolves around post-adolescent Julie’s adoration for her idol Lauren, a bored pop singer with a repertoire of mellow songs. We see how deep that adoration goes in the opening scene, when Julie unexpectedly comes face to face with her idol. As part of a television show, Lauren gives a surprise performance at Julie’s house. This first meeting immediately reveals what the later relationship between singer and fan will be. Although Lauren ultimately proves just as insecure as Julie, she remains the unapproachable idol that a fan can never really get close to.

That great opening scene also immediately shows what kind of acting talent we are dealing with here. Isild Le Besco, 22 at the time of shooting, convincingly shows how meeting Lauren is far too much for such an unbalanced and hormonally adrift sixteen-year-old. The girl’s complete dismay also ensures that as a spectator you immediately become emotionally involved with the character, an involvement that you will never lose.

On top of that, ‘Backstage’ has a pretty intelligent script. The story itself is actually nothing special, but in its implementation director/screenwriter Emmanuelle Bercot betrays an excellent eye for detail. As a result, both characters and story gain credibility. Even the idea that a fan can penetrate the entourage of an idol, Bercot manages to make plausible. A few sultry scenes also prove that eroticism and subtlety can go hand in hand.

For example, ‘Backstage’ offers a very successful glimpse into the life of a pop idol and the soul of an obsessed fan. We also see what connects the two. The shared solitude makes them dependent on each other, although the idol remains unique while the fan is interchangeable. Of course that does not make for a happy film, but one that fully satisfies intellectually and emotionally.