Q&A with Arnaud Desplechin on March 5

“I’m a talk fetishist!” exclaims novelist Philip (Denis Podalydès) in one of the many conversations before, during, and after sex with his married (but not to him) partner (Léa Seydoux). Love, Israel, regret, and mortality are all in the heady conversational mix in the latest from master filmmaker Arnaud Desplechin (A Christmas Tale, My Golden Days). A longtime dream project for the co-writer and director, Deception is a faithful adaptation of Philip Roth’s novel of the same name, whose fusion of rigorous intellectual discourse and explosive emotionality is a perfect fit for Desplechin. The bold chorus of voices from lovers past, present, and possibly imaginary includes a deeply moving supporting turn from Emmanuelle Devos, the auteur’s frequent leading lady.