In a provincial suburb, three neighbours come to terms with the consequences of the new world of social media. Marie, who lives off her husband’s family allowance, is afraid of losing her son’s respect because of a sex tape. Bertrand can’t say no to advertising calls and is fighting to protect his daughter, who is being bullied online. Christine, after losing everything because of her addiction to TV series, wonders why her rating as an Uber driver is not taking off. These three lone fighters are incapable of finding a solution to their problems on their own – until they join forces to declare war on the tech giants. Ostensibly a sitcom, Effacer l'historique captures our 21st century reality in a way few other films have: there is neither history nor are there stories, neither left-wing nor right. Instead of a physical boss who enforces our obedience, an invisible, data-spewing cloud controls us and devours our identities. This third Berlinale film by Delépine and Kervern is an empathetic tribute to those who are “left behind”, who hold up a mirror to us all and our perceptions of reality.
by Benoît Delépine, Gustave Kervern
with Blanche Gardin, Denis Podalydès, Corinne Masiero
France / Belgium 2019 French, English 110’ Colour World premiere

With

  • Blanche Gardin (Marie)
  • Denis Podalydès (Bertrand)
  • Corinne Masiero (Christine)

Crew

Written and Directed by Benoît Delépine, Gustave Kervern
Cinematography Hugues Poulain
Editing Stéphane Guillot Elmadjian
Sound Régis Boussin
Production Design Philippe Hournon Madphil
Costumes Agnès Noden
Make-Up Florence Colin
Assistant Director Gerard Bonnet
Production Manager Philippe Godefroy
Producers Sylvie Pialat, Benoît Quainon, Benoît Delépine, Gustave Kervern
Co-Production France 3 Cinema Paris
Pictanovo Tourcoing
Scope Pictures Brüssel

World Sales

Wild Bunch International

Produced by

Les Films du Worso

No Money Productions

Benoît Delépine

Born in 1958, he is a writer and director. He is founder and writer of the satirical television shows Les Guignols de l’info and Groland. He has also written comic books such as “L’Imposteur” (2000), “La Bombe” (2002) and “God Killer” (2003).

Filmography

2004 Aaltra 2006 Avida 2008 Louise-Michel 2010 Mammuth 2012 Le grand soir 2014 Near Death Experience 2016 Saint Amour 2018 I Feel Good 2019 Effacer l'historique (Delete History)

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2020

Gustave Kervern

Born in 1962, he is an actor, director and author of several books including “Petits moments d’ivresse” (2008) and “Impertinents” (2014). He has been collaborating with Benoît Delépine for 20 years. After working in television together, the two made their cinematic debut with Aaltra in 2004. Their films Mammuth (2010) and Saint Amour (2016) both screened in the Berlinale Competition.

Filmography

2004 Aaltra 2006 Avida 2008 Louise-Michel 2010 Mammuth 2012 Le grand soir 2014 Near Death Experience 2016 Saint Amour 2018 I Feel Good 2019 Effacer l'historique (Delete History)

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2020