NYFF52 Day 4: In 'The Blue Room,' Possibly Where Murder Was Planned; Earlier Though, Mathieu Amalric Is in 'Dialogues'

Stéphanie Cléau and Mathieu Almaric are lovers who rendevous in "The Blue Room / "La Chambre Bleue." Photo courtesy of the New York Film Festival.

HEADS UP: Picking up where we left off last year, but expanding a tad (OK, quite a bit but still pithy), we will limit comments about New York Film Festival films to 200 or less. And ... Lights. Camera. ACTION! ...

“YOU are guilty if you are innocent, especially innocent people are guilty."

Mathieu Almaric asserted as much about noir film characters earlier this afternoon during a press conference following the screening of his noir film in which he directed himself and others.

Did he give away the central question in “The Blue Room" / "La Chambre Bleue?" Based on a Georges Simenon novel, the film makes its North American premiere tonight at The 52nd New York Film Festival.

“The Blue Room,” also starring MA's nonactor, real-life girlfriend (Stéphanie Cléau), who also shares a screenwriter credit with him, is a laconic tale about an extramarital affair that may have spawned the murder of a spouse. (See video below).

It nevertheless builds the suspense to the end, leaving the viewer to work out where guilt actually resides. It is reminiscent of old Hollywood noirs.

And for good reason, MA was inspired by RKO Radio Pictures, films “made on small budget; shot in 95 minutes.”

Elsewhere, MA is one side of the conversation this evening in the “HBO Directors Dialogues.”

Visit http://www.filmlinc.com/nyff2014 to learn more about The 52nd New York Film Festival, including tickets and showtimes.