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THE AXE

by Costa-Gavras

synopsis

Western society is becoming ever more focused on numbers, profits and charted consumption. Where all this might lead us is the subject of a new satirical black fable by Greek director Costa-Gavras, who worked from the novel ‘The ax’ by American crime writer Donald E. Westlake. What originally was a mystery novel about ‘the American dream gone wrong’ has become a highly contemporary satire about the European consumer market and the implications of losing the working humans out of sight in favour of profits having to grow according to predefined targets.

international title: The Axe
original title: Le couperet
country: France, Belgium, Spain
year: 2004
genre: fiction
directed by: Costa-Gavras
film run: 162'
release date: FR 02/03/2005, BE 09/03/2005
screenplay: Jean-Claude Grumberg
cast: José Garcia, Karin Viard, Olivier Gourmet, Ulrich Tukur, Yvon Back, Thierry Hancisse, Yolande Moreau, Olga Grumberg
cinematography by: Patrick Blossier
film editing: Yannick Kergoat
art director: Laurent Deroo
costumes designer: Laurence Marechal
music: Armand Amar
producer: Michèle Ray-Gavras
production: K.G. Productions, Studio Canal, France 2 Cinéma, Canal+ (FR), Les Films du Fleuve, RTBF, SCOPE Invest (BE), Wanda Visión S.A. (SP)
backing: Eurimages, Wallimage
distributor: Mars Films Distribution, Cineart (BE)

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