The name of the rose (1986) is one of the most remembered films in the history of cinema. The adaptation of the homonymous novel by Umberto Eco was starred by Sean Connery and catapulted to fame Christian Slater and can be seen in Spain through Netflix, Filmin, Amazon Prime Video and Movistar Plus+. Furthermore, it remains director Jean-Jacques Annaud’s most remembered project.
The French director, winner of an Oscar for Black and white in color (1977), continued directing numerous films after The name of the rose. In 1991, Jean-Jacques Annaud adapted a novel again, this time The lover of the French writer Marguerite Duras, although the experience with the novelist was a real hell for the director, as he reported at the Lyon Festival.
Jean-Jacques Annaud and his war with Marguerite Duras
In statements collected by AllóCinéJean-Jacques acknowledges that he already knew the personality of Marguerite Duras: “I knew I wouldn’t be able to work with such an annoying person,” says the director of The name of the rosebut since at that time the writer was admitted to the hospital, she thought that “At least I would be at peace.” Of course, when he recovered, all hell broke loose for the director.
“In countless meetings at his apartment I had to endure his dirty character, his greed and his absolute ignorance of what it was an adaptation”, confesses Jean-Jacques Annaud. Furthermore, he affirms that Marguerite Duras wanted to adapt The lover verbatim: “He became obsessed with seeing his book reproduced word for word and demanded respect for the 20 terrible pages he had written of the script,” says the French director.
Furthermore, Jean-Jacques Annaud also states that Marguerite Dunas he wanted the actress Isabelle Adjani (Possession) to star The loveralthough he had to settle for the debutante Jane March. He also didn’t want to film in the Mekong River, but in the Marne River in France. Finally the film went ahead, although he was barely able to get the money back what it cost to produce it. In Spain it is not available on any streaming platform.
Do you want to be up to date with all the latest movie and series news? Sign up for our newsletter.
