It is never said in the film that it is set in France. However, this is what I expected. I just found it disturbing that the houses looked (and were) North American, yet there is a large French house where the "girls" had spent their childhood playing. That completely distracted me... Anyone else?
shareMe too. I did not know beforehand that the film had been partially shot here in Canada but the moment I saw the houses and the streets I immediately thought "this can't be France". I then spent the entire movie trying to find clues about where it was shot.
Don't give me songs
Give me something to sing about
[deleted]
The houses struck me as being in a US suburb. If Ozon told me that there is a Paris subdivision like that, I'd believe him; but I would not believe that Gilles and Claire, or Robert and Laura could have afforded such houses on their salaries.
The only thing that said "France" to me was the sound of the Metro, and even that could have been Montreal--the STM Metro uses the same rubber tired cars as Paris.
If Ozon told me that there is a Paris subdivision like that, I'd believe him; but I would not believe that Gilles and Claire, or Robert and Laura could have afforded such houses on their salaries.
And all the pieces matter (The Wire)share
No, and I liked it. I even believed that the church was in Britany... I like it when cinema takes fiction as fas as recreating a fictional geography from existing bits and pieces. But in this particular case, I think it was an obvious choice for Ozon: the movie is about duality, about mixing genders. Shooting in both Île de France (Paris surroundings) and Québec enhances the inner gaps felt by both David and Claire. It makes good sense to me.
Vincent
(Paris, France)
Yes, the suburban setting also jumped out at me as being very North American and not at all French. But I think this is an element of Ozon's style – he freely mixes 'fairy tale' palettes and themes with more serious fare, and what could be more symbolic of a 'happily ever after' setting than North American suburbia.
It's similar with Laura's the country estate. Yes, you can imagine such a place in France, but it basically doesn't matter – it's the archetype of an enchanted forrest.
This fantastical use of setting shows up all over Ozon's work. In "Water Drops on Burning Rocks", where are the characters? Germany? France? Doesn't matter – they're just in a 1970's sex romp. The chateau in "8 Femmes" is probably right next door to Laura's parents' estate.
I think Ozon just can't help himself but include these slightly surreal settings, and it's telling that this movie includes an homage to "Angel", his campiest, most fanciful film to date. (It's clear from the dialogue/soundtrack that Claire and Gilles are watching this movie on TV at home.)