Elisabeth

Although the main purpose of the press conferences that take place next to the Noga Hilton in the Quinzaine des Realisators tent is so that the general public can ask questions to the directors, Sandrine Bonnaire wasn't the one who did most of the talking Thursday after the first showing fo her film "Elle S'appelle Sabine."

The film is a documentary concerning autism in which Bonnaire follows around and paints a portrait of the life of her sister, who has autism.  The film includes Bonnaire's sister's real life, showing her today, 38,  living in a facility for autism.

Audience members were clearly touched by the film, and wanted to let Bonnaire what a wonder she had done by making this film.  Every person that spoke with the microphone first said thankyou very much before going on with what they had to say.  "Thankyou Sandrine...Nature creates a difference, but society creates equality," one audience member said in reference to the film.

"You have made an extraordinary portrait of a woman," one other audience member said.  

"Thankyou for what you have done, this is a beautiful film," one woman said through tears.

"You have changed the way autism will be viewed, I think it is important that this film show in all the towns in France," another said. 

Sandrine Bonnaire and producer Thomas SchmittBonnaire thanked the programmer of the Cannes Film Festival for their support, and  also attributed the film to her producer, Thomas Schmitt.  "He is really a great man with a great artistic sense, and he helped me a lot," she said.