From “Diva” to “Betty Blue.” Jean-Jacques Benex's talent will be missed in the future

It's fun to compare the strong personalities with "Diva"

Other elements that connect `` Diva '' and ``Betty Blue'' are also noticeable. In `` Diva '', the duo that chased the main character left a strong impression, and one of them, Gérard Darmont, who played the character commonly known as ``West Indies'', said that in ``Betty Blue'' he played the role of a friend who entrusts Zorg and Betty with his family home. Appears as Eddie. You can see the range of Dalmon's acting in the difference in atmosphere between the two films.

Dominique Pinon made his feature film debut playing the role of his partner, the hitman, also known as ``The Chief Priest.'' After appearing in `` Moon in the Ditch ,'' he played the role of a drug dealer in ``Betty Blue.'' (Appears only in `` Integral ''). Dominique Pinon has a unique face that you will never forget once you see him, and in `` Diva '' he has a strong impact, such as when he killed someone with an ice pick while listening to a chanson through earphones, and always muttered, ``I hate ____.'' Too much! Pinon later became a regular in Jean-Pierre Jeunet's films, including Amélie (2001).

“Diva” preview

Frédéric Diva , who plays Jules, the main character in ``Divas,'' also makes a brief cameo appearance as a passerby in the scene in ``Betty Blue'' when Betty comes to Paris. In ``Betty Blue'', Zorg's car and fashion were yellow, but in `` Diva '', the mobileette (moped bicycle) that Jules rides is also yellow.

``Betty Blue'' was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and Jean-Jacques Benex was supposed to take a step toward becoming a master. However, in his fourth full-length film, `` Rosalyn and the Lion '' (1989), although he challenged unprecedented camera work and editing in scenes such as the acrobatic scenes of wild animals, the work itself was not highly acclaimed (this work should be evaluated again). ) and `` IP5/Travelers in Search of Love '' (1992) were also talked about as Yves Montand's posthumous work, but failed to garner sympathy due to the imbalance between reality and fantasy. After that, the documentary "Otaku" (1993) shot in Akihabara, Japan, was not officially released in theaters in Japan, and the long-awaited " Woman of a Blue Dream" with Jean-Hugues Anglade was released. ” did not leave a strong impression on the audience as it did in its heyday.

Now in his 70s, it is highly unlikely that Benex will produce another masterpiece. However, fans who have vivid memories of `` Diva '' and ``Betty Blue'' may have a glimmer of hope to see Benex's ``resurrection.''

Text: Hiroaki Saito

Became freelance in 1997, contributing movie reviews and interview articles to various media such as movie magazines, theater pamphlets, and movie sites. The column is constantly updated on Yahoo! News. Star Channel's program "GO! Theater" introduces the latest released works.

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