Les Mains libres (The Free Hands) is a 2010 French drama film directed by Brigitte Sy. It stars Ronit Elkabetz, Carlo Brandt, and Noémie Lvovsky. It was released theatrically in France on 16 June 2010. It is a feature-length prequel to Sy's 2008 short film, L'Endroit idéal. Plot Barbara (Elkabetz) is a filmmaker developing a film written and acted by prison inmates in Paris. She defies legal boundaries, unleashing a series of consequences when she forms a deep romantic relationship with Michel (Brandt), an inmate involved in the film project. Cast Ronit Elkabetz as Barbara Carlo Brandt as Michel Noémie Lvovsky as Rita Camille Figuereo as Chloé Adama Doumbia as Roel Denis Maréchal as Fifi Gurgon Kyap as James Abdelhafid Metalsi as Mouloud Xavier Legrand as Laurent Ahmed M'Hemdi as Bouda François Négret as Sergueï Alain Ollivier as Le directeur de la prison Sasha Andres as Marie-Pierre Dominique Frot as La juge Brigitte Sy as Le femme blonde Reception Thomas Baurez of L'Express, described it as "intelligent, gracious and humble.. a love story of the purest sense of the term." Lucie Calet of Le Nouvel Observateur, continued that it is a "Greek tragedy" of "great dignity." Le Figaro praised the depiction of the tangible reality of the film as well as Eliabetz' superb and dark performance, evoking traits of the Madonna. The film was warmly received by The New Yorker; "with calm and nuanced images, Sy captures emotionally unguarded characters locked in the gaze of prying eyes; with brusque, quiet action and incisive, tight-lipped dialogue, she sets a gripping plot in motion while keeping it close to the heart." References External links French radio interview with Ronit Elkabetz 2010 films 2010s French-language films HIV/AIDS in French films Features based on short films Films set in France Films set in Paris Films shot in Paris French prison films Films directed by Brigitte Sy 2010 directorial debut films 2010 drama films 2010s French films