L'Étourdissement (2015)
A darkly comic French short film about two colleagues navigating the unbearable task of delivering devastating news to a widow.
L'Étourdissement - Movie Information
- Original Title: L'Étourdissement
- Release Year: 2015
- Directed by: Gérard Pautonnier
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Runtime: 21m
- Original Language: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 9, 2015 (France)
- Production Companies: Elzévir Films
L'Étourdissement - Plot
After the accidental death of a working colleague, Eddy is put in charge of going to announce the terrible news to the wife of the deceased. Georges, another colleague, offers to go with him.
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L'Étourdissement - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Gérard Pautonnier
Main Cast
- Arthur Dupont
- Philippe Duquesne
- Pascale Arbillot
- Miglen Mirtchev
- Eric Bougnon
- Nicolas Vaude
- Féodor Atkine
- Marie Berto
Writers
- Joël Egloff
- Gérard Pautonnier
Producers
- Denis Carot
- Marie Masmonteil
L'Étourdissement - FAQs
What is L'Étourdissement about?
L'Étourdissement follows Eddy, a man tasked with delivering the worst kind of news after a workplace accident claims a colleague's life. His coworker Georges tags along for moral support. The film mines dark comedy from the awkwardness and anxiety of that impossible errand, delivering sharp, understated humor in just 21 minutes.
Does L'Étourdissement have a happy ending?
The film leans into tragicomedy rather than a tidy resolution. The premise — two men stumbling toward an unbearable conversation — keeps tension simmering throughout. Without giving too much away, the ending stays true to the film's tone: uncomfortable, quietly funny, and very human in its awkwardness.
Who are the main actors in L'Étourdissement?
The cast is led by Arthur Dupont as Eddy and Philippe Duquesne as his well-meaning companion Georges. Pascale Arbillot plays Mme. Corpi, the widow at the center of the story. The ensemble also includes Miglen Mirtchev, Nicolas Vaude, Féodor Atkine, Eric Bougnon, and Marie Berto.
Why is the film's premise so uncomfortable and funny?
The comedy comes from a deeply relatable social nightmare: being forced to deliver catastrophic news to a stranger. Gérard Pautonnier wrings humor from hesitation, miscommunication, and the very human instinct to delay the inevitable. It's the kind of cringe comedy that makes you laugh precisely because you'd dread being in Eddy's shoes.
Who directed L'Étourdissement?
The film was directed by Gérard Pautonnier, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside novelist Joël Egloff. Pautonnier brings a restrained, character-driven sensibility to the material, letting the awkward silences and nervous energy between the two leads do much of the comedic heavy lifting.
Is L'Étourdissement based on a book or true story?
The screenplay was co-written by Joël Egloff, a French novelist known for his darkly comic literary fiction. While the film is not directly adapted from a specific novel, Egloff's literary sensibility — deadpan, melancholic, and quietly absurd — is very much present in the story's tone and structure.
What are some similar movies to L'Étourdissement?
If you enjoyed the film's awkward social comedy, you might like Girl on a Bicycle (2013), The Speech (2020), or No Filter (2019). For broader French comedies with similar ensemble energy, Would I Lie to You? (1997) and its sequel are crowd-pleasers. Breaking News in Yuba County (2021) offers a darker comedic take on bad news delivery.
When and where was L'Étourdissement released?
L'Étourdissement premiered in France on October 9, 2015. As a short film running just 21 minutes, it was primarily distributed through the French festival circuit. The film was produced by Elzévir Films, with Denis Carot and Marie Masmonteil serving as producers.
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