Classic Russian literature has been a source of inspiration for creative minds worldwide. A best-selling French wordsmith is no exception. David Foenkinos has turned his Delicacy into film with the star of Amelie Audrey Tatou in the foreground.

­David Foenkinos – who also directed the film with his brother Stephane – says his film, based on the novel which won over 10 literary awards and was translated into 20 foreign languages, is about femininity.

“Delicacy is a book which I wrote without much effort – surprisingly enough. The script was also written pretty easily, which is amazing. Other books that I wrote didn’t come easily to me,” the novelist told RT.

Thirty-four-year-old Audrey Tatou plays heartbroken heroine Natalie, who cannot get over the tragic death of her husband, who was killed while out on a morning jog. Natalie’s heart is broken, and she has no clue as to what gives her the impulse to kiss a geeky Swedish guy, Markus, her co-worker. Apparently, just a moment of madness for Nat, the not-so-innocent kiss turns into “eternal love” for Markus, who immediately develops a crush on the brunette, who is reading books by great Russian writers. 

“When I was 20, I left for Russia. I wanted to go to the Dostoevsky Museum. He is my favorite writer,” David recalled.

“I also adore music by Stravinsky. Russian art has influenced me a lot. I traveled to Russia to learn the language, because all the artists that I admired were Russians. I’m a regular in Russia. And in my books there are a lot of references to Russian literature. For instance, the main character in Delicacy is reading a book by Ivan Goncharov.” 

“To write a book takes time and effort. It has to be the be-all and end-all for you. It’s happiness for me, my passion and obsession but at the same time it’s a burden. The same minute I can be happy and the next depressive,” the French novelist told RT.

Delicacy directed by David and Stephane Foenkinos (image from kinopoisk.ru)

­David likes to joke that he decided to team with his brother and try his hand as a director to help his brother who was unemployed. But actually it is something else.

“I’ve written 10 novels and my whole life revolves around writing. But for the first time in my life, when I finished writing Delicacy, I felt some sort of incompleteness, like I wanted to go on, to continue, he explained. I felt the need for a collective experience. I wanted to share things with people, so I put all my energy into this film. I wanted to work with my brother and other people,” he said.

Both brothers cannot help singing the praises of one of France’s best-loved actors, Tatou.

“Audrey Tatou is very smart.  She is also very efficient and respectful. She never asked us a single question concerning her image in the film. Of course, we discussed certain moments and scenes, she shared her ideas with us, but it happened very rarely. Each time she suggested something, she was 100 per cent right. It’s very pleasant to work with intelligent people,” David said. “And generous, Stephane added. She never carries herself like a star on set. She is very thoughtful and is never indifferent to the wellbeing of her partners.”

­Valeria Paikova, RT