All Men Are Mortal
1995
Originally a U.K., Netherlands production

Rights now owned by Worldtrade Entertainment Ltd.

Distributed on VCD/DVD by Jumbo Plain Laser & Video Co.

As Fosca
Released in the U.K. and Netherlands, November, 1995
Stephen Rea, Irène Jacob, Marianne Sägebrecht and Colin Salmon

Based on the novel by existentialist writer Simone de Beauvoir, this dark, yet enigmatic story begins as a romance and ends in a kind of hopeful, yet existentialist manner. Aspiring and beautiful theatre actress Regina (Irène Jacob), searches for meaning in her life despite her upcoming opportunities to become a famous international star. She meets and becomes attracted to a stranger: a brooding, mysterious man named Fosca (Stephen Rea). As their romance develops, Fosca tells Regina he is truly an immortal man. He simply cannot die and eventually goes on to prove it. However, Fosca may be immortal but will his love for Regina stand the test of time?

This is still a relatively obscure film. However, nowadays, the film is finding its way into a more mainstream audience, especially on European and British television. Filmed in Budapest and Copenhagen and produced with European credits, Ate de Jong's film is still fascinating to watch.

Stephen Rea's role as Fosca is absolutely meaningless...which is, of course, the whole point of the story. The film is based on the author Simone de Beauvoir's portrait.

While the character of Fosca (Stephen Rea) is consummed by dark and hopeless thoughts, he remains in motion, constantly striving to become the man he once was or could be. Look for Simone de Beauvoir's light feminist touch in Fosca's character. Stephen Rea can be found in this film washing windows, knitting and even making pancakes... However, while Fosca may appear to be the "perfect" immortal man, can he offer mortal love?

Was Simone de Beauvoir way ahead of, or, behind her time, depending on how you look at it ?
Ate de Jong
Based on the book by Simone de Beauvoir, screenplay credits include Ate de Jong, Steven Gaydos and Olwen Wymark

REGINA
It's not worthy of you to spend your time frying pancakes with Annie.
FOSCA
But the pancakes were good.

AND

FOSCA
I thought I could become a man again. But I made a mistake.
I'm old enough to know better.


- Irène Jacob and Stephen Rea
Irène Jacob is currently in Nés de la mère du monde (2003) on French TV. She can also be seen in My Life So Far (1999) and U.S. Marshals (1998).

Marianne Sägebrecht is also an international artist, and can be seen in many German, French and U.K. television and movie productions. In the U.S. she can also be seen in The War of the Roses, (1989) with Danny DeVito and Moon Over Parador (1988) with Richard Dreyfuss.

Colin Salmon is best known for his recurring role as Charles Robinson in the James Bond films, Die Another Day, (2002), The World Is Not Enough, (1999) and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). In the Bond films, Colin also appears with Pierce Brosnan, who also starred in Evelyn with Stephen Rea.