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The story focuses on the biography of Lucian, a young intellectual and talented poet who lives in the countryside, works in a printing press, writes romantic poems that reflect his inner obsessions with love, passion and Sufi unity with nature and beings.
Lucian's life is turned upside down, when he gets involved in the love of Louise, the married, old-aged baroness who becomes his inspiration.
Lovers are forced to flee to Paris to avoid scandal and its harmful consequences in velvet society, but Lucian finds himself alone after giving up everything for his beloved.
We witness the deep self-love as Louise retreats from her emotional decision when she tipped the balance for her own benefit, as she cannot sacrifice her property and her relationships with nobles for love, her escape with a young man and the social class is a major scandal that will repel all the doors of privilege in her face.
The director portrays Lucian's shock and disappointment to tour the streets of Paris alone, disappointed, hungry and unscamored, creating a bond of sympathy for the recipient.
Louise's choice of property and relationships in exchange for love stimulates Lucian's feelings of humiliation, contemplates peaceful revenge like any poet fighting with a pen, and quickly sparks widespread controversy in Paris by publishing controversial articles.
The work focuses on the element of ambition that Lucian exploded after his disappointment, to be his revenge through his artistic creativity, and we witness the cascade of his dreams and achieved in a society that does not taste poetry and art, does not understand the value of theatre and does not feel the importance of music.
The work depicts society's focus on interests, money, personal relationships and competition in plundering and stealing others. Falling into class society is allowed, but going up, prospering and going out of bounds is taboo.
The poet's career begins as a satirical journalist with a rebel newspaper, discovering that the truth is not important, neither the artistic level nor the power of expression, and all that matters is to focus on advertising, publishing teases and working as mercenaries for those who pay more financially.
Through his pen, Lucian succeeded in launching press campaigns that tarnished the reputation of the nobles, prompting them to negotiate with him and demand a truce, in exchange for allowing him to enter their hypocritical society and meet his former beloved again. Adventures follow in a form of suspense.
The work focused on the description, presenting a vision of 19th-century Paris, where it is in transition, through decoration, selection of clothes, carts, palaces, streets and photography venues, and the finer details that take the viewer on a virtual journey away from modern technologies.
The camera provided professional shots and attractive, clear and elaborate angles, in tune with time-age colors in Paris.
The film succeeded in embodying a certain depth that helped immortalize the literary novel, through a filmmaking work.
Critics' opinions
Italian critic André de Finco said, "The follower witnessed the experience of the rise and fall of Lucian on his crazy journey towards the literary heights between the world of poetry and poems, press narratives and controversial satirical articles, as well as his emotional adventures and the vicissitudes of his life between conspiracies, power and relationships, it was a journey we should know with pleasure," according to The Mad Mas Italian website.
The work premiered at the 78th Venice Film Festival, received 15 nominations at the 47th Cesar Awards and won seven categories, including best film, best adapted screenplay, best cinematography, best supporting actor and best actor.
The work premiered at the 78th Venice Film Festival, received 15 nominations at the 47th Cesar Awards and won seven categories, including best film, best adapted screenplay, best cinematography, best supporting actor and best actor.
The work is directed by Xavier Giannoli and co-written by Jacques Vichy. He co-starred Benjamin Foysen, Xavier Dolan, Vincent Lacoste, Salome Dewell, Cecile de France and Jane Balbar.