Changing Times (2006)

Synopsis: Antoine (Gérard Depardieu) has arrived in Tangiers from Europe. He is a French engineer assigned to oversee the construction of a major media center, the future home of a television network that will rival Al Jazeera in the Arab world. While this is a monumental undertaking, the real reason... Antoine (Gérard Depardieu) has arrived in Tangiers from Europe. He is a French engineer assigned to oversee the construction of a major media center, the future home of a television network that will rival Al Jazeera in the Arab world. While this is a monumental undertaking, the real reason that Antoine took the assignment is to re-establish contact with his first love, Cécile (Catherine Deneuve), who he has quietly and faithfully loved for over thirty years. He instructs his local assistant, Nabilla, to anonymously send Cécile roses every day. Cécile now lives in Tangiers with her husband Nathan (Gilbert Melki), a Moroccan doctor from Casablanca several years her junior, and she hosts an evening radio show, introducing love songs and reading romantic dedications. Their son, Sami (Malik Zidi), arrives from Paris with his partner, Nadia (Lubna Azabal), and her 9-year-old son, Said. Nadia, who is originally from Morocco, hopes to stay with her twin sister, Aicha (also Lubna Azabal), but when Aicha fails to show at the airport, she reluctantly agrees to stay at Cécile’s house. Less than thrilled to have unexpected guests for an undetermined stay, Cécile steals herself against struggles familiar and new. Antoine spies Cécile at a supermarket, and admires her from afar. When she suddenly walks toward him, he runs for the exit, not noticing the intervening glass wall. Nose bloodied and humiliated before his lost love, he is aided by an attentive and unsuspecting Nathan. When they finally speak at the hospital, Cécile reminisces with Antoine and half-heartedly promises to have him over for dinner. Determined to make Cécile fall in love with him all over again, Antoine approaches Nabilla for information on the native magic spells, and she reluctantly gives him an instructional video to watch. To Cécile’s surprise and displeasure, Antoine appears at her doorstep one afternoon. He socializes with Nathan, who then volunteers Cécile’s services to help Antoine find a house for his extended stay. Before leaving, Antoine enters their bedroom and surreptitiously slips an old photo between the struts of Cécile’s bed. A few days later, while driving Antoine to see a seaside villa, her car breaks down. They decide to walk the rest of the way, during which they finally discuss their relationship and the past. Meanwhile, Sami has rekindled an affair with his Moroccan boyfriend Bilal (Nadem Rachati), now working as a groundskeeper on a lavish estate. Nadia stays at home with Said and grows despondent over Aicha’s refusal to see her. Aicha, who works long hours at McDonald’s to support her family and is a devout Muslim, fears the consequences of re-connecting with her westernized sister. Antoine runs into Nathan in a casino, and they discuss his romantic feelings for Cécile. Unthreatened, Nathan talks about Cécile’s previous marriage and of his own extra-marital affairs. Completely discouraged, Antoine backs off from his pursuit. Anxious to have the project completed, he visits the construction site during a slow Sunday and absent-mindedly examines some excavation work. A horrible mudslide starts and he is, in effect, buried alive. Antoine falls into a coma, and Cécile becomes his daily visitor at the hospital. Day by day she hopes for the best... -- © Koch Lorber Films [More]