L'Auberge Espagnole - Wiedersehen in Sankt Petersburg (Les Poupées Russes)
France/U.K. 2005

Opening 3 Nov 2005

Directed by: Cédric Klapisch
Writing credits: Cédric Klapisch
Principal actors: Romain Duris, Kelly Reilly, Audrey Tautou, Cécile de France, Kevin Bishop

Remember L'Auberge Espagnole – Barcelona für ein Jahr? The sequel from Cédric Klapisch has arrived! Five years have gone by since Xavier (Romain Duris) shared an apartment in Barcelona with an endearing bunch of foreign students. Now he is back in Paris facing real life – 30 years old and writing scripts for soap operas. Asked by his grandfather why he's not working on his novel, he answers that the soaps pay his rent. This is not actually true since he floats from one friend's place to the next. Complicating matters, Xavier is shared by his ex-girlfriend Martine (Audrey Tautou), his mother, his lesbian pal Isabelle (Cécile de France) and one romantic attachment after another. He can't seem to "find himself" or commit to a relationship and settle down.

But finally he gets a big break – an offer to co-write an English script. The big surprise is that his co-writer is none other than Wendy (Kelly Reilly) from the Barcelona group. Shortly after starting, he has another great offer – writing the memoirs of model Celia (Lucy Gordon) in Paris. Commuting between London and Paris and consequently becoming close to both young women, he has to examine his feelings. When the whole Barcelona bunch all travel to a wedding in St. Petersburg, Xavier finally has the chance to discover what life is all about and who is definitely meant for him. (Thelma Freedman)