René Féret should have made this film 19 years ago in 1974.

La Place d'un autre (1993) directed by René Féret

In some ways "La place d'un autre" can be called as L'histoire de Paul part 2.As far as René Féret's cinematographic oeuvre is concerned,this film should theoretically have come before L'histoire de Paul as in that film nothing was mentioned as to why a young man named Paul made up his mind to take his own life.All the questions which were left unanswered in L'histoire de Paul are discussed in La place d'un autre. This idea was always hovering on René Féret's mind but due to artistic commitments of different nature he was unable to finish this film as and when he wanted to do so.In this film we are shown how a young boy replaces his lost brother for the sake of his parents.There is also a poignant tale involving a talented soul who overcomes all instances of personal sorrow to emerge victorious.It is true that this film is autobiographical in nature,nevertheless René Féret has avoided all traps which might allude any kind of familiarity to actual events.There is also a concern for authenticity as the film was shot in the same mental institution where René Féret was interned after his personal tragedy.Recommendation : a film to be watched if you have ever lost a dear one in your family.

One day in the life of a French family ! ! ! !

Les Frères Gravet (1996) directed by René Féret

This is undoubtedly one of the most thought provoking films directed by René Féret.Its presence of stars and actors is so brilliant that one can have a jolly good time watching a host of French cinema's versatile actors that too in a single film.It was truly a veritable family affair for René Féret to direct people like Jacques Bonnaffé, Jean François Stévenin,Julien Féret who are a part of his indispensable family of actors.What is important to watch in this film is a story which starts as a family chronicle but with the passage of time transforms itself into an existentialist drama.Family is an important unit of René Féret's films and the highlight of this film is how brothers of a family come together to know each other better.It is not only brothers who come to know each other better but also their wives and children who learn to appreciate the value of their united,close knit family.It has been felt by certain French critics that this film is more close to Cassavates than Pascal Thomas.This is for those viewers to decide who are familiar with the films of both these authors.

An honest film about a family made for all those who respect family life

Baptême (1989) directed by René Féret

In the recent history of French cinema,it has sadly been noted that the concept of films for families has vanished.If there is one film maker who has relentlessly pursued this theme in his films,it is René Féret whose films are a good portrayal of family life.Baptême is a family film which is not made these days.It is about the love of an entire life : love of a husband for his wife,love of a wife for her husband and love of the children for their parents.The dual concepts of happiness and sorrow have been nicely depicted in the form of family life and death.There is a concern for authenticity in Baptême as René Féret has portrayed an area which he know best:North of France.As a matter of fact,apart from Bertrand Tavernier and Bruno Dumont,there are not many filmmakers in France who have been honest and truthful in their depiction of harsh realities of northern France.René Féret is one of the very few French filmmakers who have vividly portrayed North of France.This must be kept in mind when a spectator goes to see this film.