Directed by:
Maxime GirouxCinematography:
Sara MisharaComposer:
Olivier AlaryCast:
Martin Dubreuil, Romain Duris, Sarah Gadon, Reda Kateb, Soko, Cody Fern, Buddy Duress, Luzer Twersky, Lise RoyPlots(1)
The film follows Philippe (Martin Dubreuil), a would-be Québécois actor stuck in an unnamed southwestern American state and forced to deal with crushing poverty, a collapsing moral order, and persecution, all sparked by an ongoing, vaguely outlined war and the odious ethics of an unseen leader, whose rants over the radio tout success at all costs. Yet all around him, Philippe only sees abject squalor and a fearsome propaganda machine recalling 1930s-era Germany. Even those he encounters who are doing comparatively well derive pleasure only from others’ pain, underscoring the depraved moral and economic conditions that contribute to and create fascism. An aloof, proud woman (Sarah Gadon) who lives in a cave/abandoned basement introduces another girl as her dog; a nasty ringmaster tortures the weak to force them to become informants. Already an outsider because of his accent, Philippe jumps from the frying pan into the fire. (Toronto International Film Festival)
(more)Cast
Martin Dubreuil
Canada
Best movies:
10 1/2 (2010)
Everything Is Fine (2008)
Les 3 P'tits Cochons (2007)
Romain Duris
France
Best movies:
The Crazy Stranger (1997)
Daaaaaalí! (2023)
Our Struggles (2018)
Sarah Gadon
Canada
Best movies:
What If (2013)
Charlie Bartlett (2007)
Ferrari (2023)
Reda Kateb
France
Best movies:
The Specials (2019)
A Prophet (2009)
Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Soko
France
Best movies:
Her (2013)
In the Beginning (2009)
Little Fish (2020)
Cody Fern
Australia
Best movies:
Father Stu (2022)
The Tribes of Palos Verdes (2017)
Buddy Duress
USA
Best movies:
Good Time (2017)
Heaven Knows What (2014)
The Mountain (2018)
Luzer Twersky
USA
Best movies:
Felix and Meira (2014)
Lise Roy
Best movies:
The Age of Ignorance (2007)
The Barbarian Invasions (2003)
Tom at the Farm (2013)