Events

Music Box Films is proud to announce the release of THE MIDWIFE, starring Catherine Deneuve and Catherine Frot in their first on screen appearance together in a moving drama about unlikely friendships, forgiveness, and the need for change, written specifically for them by director Martin Provost (Séraphine, Violette). THE MIDWIFE is scheduled to open in New York on Friday, July 14 (Paris Theatre and Angelika Film Center) followed by a national roll out.

Claire (Catherine Frot-Marguerite) is a talented but tightly wound midwife and single mother on the cusp of losing her job as her small maternity clinic can’t compete with the nearby big hospital.  Béatrice (Catherine Deneuve), is the estranged, free-spirited but broken-down mistress of Claire’s deceased father looking for redemption.  Though polar opposites in almost every way, the two women come to rely on each other to cope with the unusual circumstances that brings them together.  

Writer-director Martin Provost began his career as both a stage and screen actor and joined the prestigious Comédie Française theatre troupe in the 1980s.  After two shorts and first feature Tortilla y Cinema (starring Carmen Maura), his directorial breakthrough was Séraphine, about the self-taught artist Séraphine de Senlis, which went on to win seven César awards including Best Film and Best Actress for Yolande Moreau. Provost has also written several novels including Aime-moi vite, Léger, humain, pardonable, La Rousse Péteuse and Bifteck.  For THE MIDWIFE, Provost filmed in maternity wards in Belgium capturing real life births.

“Provost has once again proven to be a sensitive and sure-handed director..with this one somewhat of a cross between Douglas Sirk and the Dardennes.” Hollywood Reporter, Jordan Mintzer

“Frot is a beloved comic actress in her native Gaul..and this more somber role allows her to ably flex some dramatic muscles…As the reigning grande dame of French Cinema, Deneuve could easily rest on her laurels, only taking roles that befit and reinforce her stature.  Which makes her vulnerable turn here all the more special…Deneuve delivers her best performance in recent memory.”  Indiewire, Ben Croll