Where Does Your Hidden Smile Lie?

2003 1h 44m FR

👍

7.4

SOLID

★7.4TMDB · 15

Documentary

Synopsis

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Undaunted by a commission to make a film about his mentors and aesthetic exemplars, the filmmaking team of Jean-Marie Straub and Danièle Huillet, Costa records with great sensitivity and insight the exacting process by which the two re-edit their film Sicilia!, discussing and arguing over each cut and its effect. Incorporating comments about the influence of figures as diverse as Chaplin and Eisenstein, about the ethical and aesthetic implications of film technique and such matters as rhythm, sound mixing, and acting. The film becomes a tour de force, immersing us in the mysteries of cinema as practiced by some of its greatest creators. Costa calls the film both his first comedy and his first love story.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Jean-Marie Straub
Himself
Danièle Huillet
Herself

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Pedro Costa
Languages: French, Italian
Countries: Portugal, France

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 23 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: French, Italian.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Portugal, France.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Pedro Costa, shot by Pedro Costa. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Dominique Auvray shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Jean-Marie Straub and Danièle Huillet carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0342866 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Pedro Costa directs. Pedro Costa behind the camera. Dominique Auvray cuts. Produced in Portugal, France. Dialogue in French, Italian.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 23 years ago.
2Dialogue crosses 2 languages: French, Italian.
3International production across 2 countries: Portugal, France.
4Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
5Directed by Pedro Costa, shot by Pedro Costa. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Editor Dominique Auvray shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Jean-Marie Straub and Danièle Huillet carry the top of the cast.
8IMDB entry: tt0342866 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 15 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.