Loving Memories

'Loving Memories' is a French-Belgian historical drama directed by Guillaume Bureau, marking his directorial debut and was released in 2022. The film received praise and recognition at the Angoulême Francophone Film Festival in August of 2022 for its intriguing plot and excellent execution.

The story follows Julie Delaunay, played by Leïla Bekhti, who becomes involved in a mystery when the press reveals the portrait of a man with amnesia. Convinced that it is her husband who disappeared in the Great War, Julie discovers that she is not the only one claiming her identity.

The script, written by Bureau in collaboration with Robin Campillo and Pierre Chosson, is skillfully constructed to keep the viewer engaged. The music of Romain Trouillet, the art direction and the photography of Colin Levêque contribute to creating a vivid and evocative atmosphere.

The cast is led by Bekhti, Karim Leklou as the man with amnesia and Louise Bourgoin as Rose-Marie Brunet. Jean-Charles Clichet gives a moving performance as Antoine Delaunay, Julie's brother, Ghislain de Fonclare takes on the role of Dr. Gramont, the psychiatrist charged with helping the man without an identity recover his lost memory. Véronique Ruggia Saura shines in the role of Carlotta, the boss of the local cabaret whose connection to the mysterious man sparks suspicion and speculation. Completing the cast are Jeanne Cohendy as Alicia, Emmanuelle Schaaf as Gloria and Guillaume Bouttemy as a patient of Dr. Gramont.

Filming began on August 4, 2021, in a County of French Burgundy County at the Moutiers Saint-Jean Abbey and the Joly Bridge in Semur-en-Auxois, as well as the collegiate church of Saint - Lazare and a bourgeois house on Bocquillot Street, in Avallon (Yonne), which serves as home to Julien and Julie Delaunay, and then in Clamecy (Nièvre).