Belcourt films exhibit raw experiences in love, rap

Alain Resnais's award-winning film Private Fears in Public Places, which opens today at the Belcourt, won't make anyone feel particularly warm or optimistic about the fate of supposedly secure relationships.

This tale of the interaction and entanglements between six people was adapted from an English play, but recasts the setting to a Paris very much at odds with its historically romantic, appealing image. This is a Paris where its citizens seem just as dreary, lonely and sullen as those residing in any other metropolis, even though a closer look indicates they are quite complex as well as unhappy.

There's Nicole (Laura Morante), who's seeking a new and bigger apartment to make things more comfortable and also improve the shared existence with her boyfriend Dan (Lambert Wilson). He's actually less interested in rooming with her than he claims, and also would rather spend his time drinking at a humdrum bar discussing things with a bartender than Nicole.

Others in the scenario include the realtor Thierry (Andr