Stunning Trailer and Website For Disturbing French Noir 13 (Tzameti) Online

When the list of films for the 2005 Venice Film Festival went up one that I tried to track down any luck was 13 (Tzameti), a French feature from Georgian director Géla Babluani. I had no luck finding anything then, but the French trailer has just arrived online and my jaw is on the floor. The film - which won major awards at Venice - is an unflinching piece of urban noir shot in stark black and white. Here's a synopsis:

"Sebastien (George Babluani), a 20-year-old who lives in dire financial straits with his immigrant family, is hired to repair the roof of the morphine-addicted Godon (Philippe Passon). The old man dies before Sebastien can be paid, but not before the boy overhears a conversation that seems to promise easy money. He impulsively decides he will follow the instructions meant for Godon and see where they lead him."

I'm not going to spoil the central premise, but following an easy money scheme offered to a serious morphine addict? Bad idea.

13 Website
13 Teaser (downloadable Quicktime)
13 Trailer (downloadable Quicktime)