Antoine (Gustave Kervern) is a forty-something rock singer with insomnia and stage fright. After deciding that a music career is too stressful, he decides to look for another job. Despite Antoine having no relevant experience, retired resident Serge (Feodor Atkine) is persuaded by his wife Mathilde (Catherine Deneuve) to employ him as the caretaker for their quiet Parisian apartment building.

As Antoine gets to grips with the quirky characters inhabiting the apartments, it quickly becomes obvious that he is unable to handle his new responsibilities. But when Mathilde’s mental state comes into question, she finds a friend and confidante in Antoine.

Salvadori and his actors skilfully use humour here to sensitively explore some serious themes, including mental health and loneliness.

Thoroughly non-judgmental in its observations, Pierre Salvadori’s ‘In the Courtyard’ ranks as one of the funnier films about victims of depression and mental illness. – Village Voice

Director: Pierre Salvadori, 97 minutes, France, 2013, Cert: CLUB

Presented with the support of the French Embassy and the Institut Français.