THE TRILOGY 1: ON THE RUN
aka LA TRILOGIE 1: CAVALE

Year: 2002
USA: Magnolia Pictures
UK: Tartan Films
Cast: Catherine Frot, Lucas Belvaux, Ornella Muti, François Morel, Dominique Blanc, Gilbert Melki, Patrick Descamps, Olivier Darimont, Alexis Tomassian, Yves Claessens, Christine Henkart, Jean-Henri Roger, Elie Belvaux, Herve Livet, Eric Vassard, Zirek, Thomas Badek, Bourlem Guerdjou
Director: Lucas Belvaux
Countries: France / Belgium
Language: French (English subtitles)
USA: 117 mins
UK: 111 mins
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong language, violence and drug use
USA Release Date: 30 January 2004 (Limited Release - New York)
UK Release Date: 14 November 2003

Synopsis

THE TRILOGY - Introduction

Let's envisage our respective lives as films.

Each of us is the main character, surrounded by people more or less close to us who are themselves the main characters of their lives and for whom we play more or less secondary roles. If we are the starting point, the centre of the world or of the film, by concentric circles (those closest to us, close friends, friends, acquaintances, and so on) we reach the ring of people we only encounter once in a lifetime, of whom we know nothing and who know nothing about us because in their lives (their film) we are only extras.

The three films work on this principle of cross encounters. The main characters in one film have minor roles in the others and vice versa.

Three films, three genres, three genre films

The films form a whole but can be seen independently. Although they share sets, scenes and characters, they are "genetically" different. The first is a thriller, the second in comedy and the third a melodrama.

Fear, laughter, and tears. They are genre films.

- Lucas Belvaux

THE TRILOGY 1: ON THE RUN

After 15 years behind bars, Bruno Le Roux (Lucas Belvaux) has finally escaped. He was the most highly armed member of the armed wing of a proletarian revolution sadly devoid of proletarian support. He has escaped to continue the fight, to liberate his comrades from prison and release the masses from their chains, once and for all.

But although Bruno hasn't changed during his 15 years inside, the world outside has. All his former allies, companions, comrades, and accomplices - those who are not dead or in prison - have given up the fight. Not even Jeanne (Catherine Frot) believes in it anymore. She is married now with children and can't do anything to help him. Not that she could do if she wanted to. Since Bruno escaped, she has been under close police surveillance.

Out of Bruno's old contacts, only the gangsters, temporarily united, have prospered. Bruno gets in touch with Jaquillat (Patrick Descamps), the local godfather. They did business together in the old days. But Jaquillat doesn't want anything more to do with him either: it's too dangerous and his presence in town has attracted too many cops. Alliances have changed. Jaquillat is ready to collaborate with Inspector Manise, or Pascal (Gilbert Melki), as he calls him, the bent cop he supplies with drugs in exchange for his tolerance regarding certain matters.

Bruno is on his own. Never mind, from one hiding place to another, from doorways to underground parking lots, he gives as good as he gets. But the night also has itse angels, fallen though they may be.

Bruno meets Agnes (Dominique Blanc), a junkie looking for a fix. None of the dealers will supply her any more. A temporary alliance is formed. Agnes realises he's on the run. She doesn't want to know any more. All she is interested in is their present situation. They have their own pasts and no hope of a future together. He finds her drugs and she hides him in her friend, Cecile's (Ornella Muti) house, telling her that she's meeting her lover there.