Set in 1970s Germany, Leopold [Bernard Giraudeau], a 50-year-old businessman, seduces 20-year-old Franz [Malik Zidi]. They fall deeply in love and move in together. The rest of the movie focuses on the emotional turmoil that both endure as they grow apart, bickering over things of little importance. A twist halfway through the story adds a chaotic comic element, as Franz and Leopold are joined by their ex-girlfriends. WATER DROPS ON BURNING ROCKS was adapted by writer/director Francois Ozon from a play called "Tropfen Auf Heisse Steine" that was written by Rainer Werner Fassbinder when he was 19 years old, but was never before produced.

Without leaving the space of a chic 70s-style art deco apartment in Berlin, WATER DROPS ON BURNING ROCKS unfurls the beginning, middle, and end of a focused, suffocating love relationship between 50-year-old business man Leopold (a superb Bernard Giraudeau), and 20-year-old boy toy Franz (Malik Zidi). Director Francois Ozon (CRIMINAL LOVERS) has made his masterpiece with this film, creating a static intensity between his two protagonists through long shots of each man examining himself in the mirror, and through nearly sarcastic camera work that seems to crack jokes at its subjects' expense.

The amusingly cruel plot which explores Leopold's ability to dominate Franz, making him a pathetic love-slave, nonetheless shows the realistic blend of pain, love, obsession, and aggression existant in the relationship. The finale of the film is outrageous and terrible--and somehow funny, especially during the notorious dance scene--as Franz's ex-girlfriend and Leopold's ex-lover appear for a menage a quatre. Based on a play written by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Ozon's adaptation is divided in to three "acts," each beginning with a different sexual pairing, and is a perfect tribute to the ridiculous complexity of love.

Theatrical release: July 12, 2000 (LA/NY):

Francois Ozon has directed the black comedies CRIMINAL LOVERS and SITCOM.

Rainer Werner Fassbinder died in 1982 at the age of 36, after making over 40 films, almost all based on life in post-war Germany.

Fassbinder was known for working fast and on tight budgets, and these are aspects of film direction that Francois Ozon has also adopted. Ozon is a huge admirer of Fassbinder's work.

Fassbinder's films THE MERCHANT OF FOUR SEASONS and THE BITTER TEARS OF PETRA VON KANT are movies upon which Ozon modeled the flat lighting and minimalistic sets in WATER DROPS ON BURNING ROCKS.

At the time that WATER DROPS ON BURNING ROCKS was released, Ozon was working on his next feature, UNDER THE SAND (SOUS LE SABLE).

Anna Thomson is American, and though she's a friend of Ozon's, he had no idea that she speaks French. In fact, she grew up in France and studied the language for 16 years. Ozon realized she was perfect for the part of Vera.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Letterboxed
Audio:
Stereo - English
Subtitled - English - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus
Text/Photo Galleries:
Filmographies - 1. Francois Ozon
2. Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Biographies - 1. Rainer Werner Fassbinder
2. Francois Ozon

Bernard Giraudeau: Actor/"Passione D'amore"
Malik Zidi: French Actor, WATER DROPS ON BURNING ROCKS
Anna Thomson: American Supporting Actress
Ludivine Sagnier: French Actress, WATER DROPS ON BURNING ROCKS

Francois Ozon: Director

Olivier Delbosc: Producer
Marc Missonier: WATER DROPS ON BURNING ROCKS

Francois Ozon: Director

Laurence Bawedin: WATER DROPS ON BURNING ROCKS

"...A brilliant satire of emotional politics....Mr. Ozon's movie is sure to enthrall Fassbinder fans..."
"...A treat for devotees of European film culture....A complex film experience..."
"...Acid twists on love don't come much keener..."