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How much or how little are we obliged to honour the wishes of our parents after they are gone? This is the question posed by Olivier Assayas in his rueful and wise new film, the most internationally heralded of his career to date.
In Summer Hours, the divergent paths of three foty-something siblings collide after their mother (Edith Scob), heiress to her uncle's exceptional 19th century art collection, dies suddenly, leaving them to come to terms with themselves and their differences. Adrienne (Juliette Binoche) a successful New York designer, Frederic (Charles Berling) an economist and university professor in Paris, and Jeremie (Jeremie Renier) a dynamic businessman in China, are forced to discuss the practical details concerning the collection: preserve or sell? Display, or protect? In doing so the must confront the end of childhood, their shared memories, backgrounds and unique visions of the future.
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