Bastards [2013]
Bastards, Claire Denis’ first film in 4 years, is a grim,
moody and deliberately convoluted thriller where the springboard for the
proceedings was organized sex trafficking of teenage girls and the principal
motif was revenge. As a humorous aside, the above two topics is sure to remind
those who like Holly thrillers of Taken,
but the two couldn’t be more different. The plot, despite its labyrinthine
nature, took a back-seat here as the emphasis was more on the dark emotions –
anger, desperation, lust, obsession, grief – that the various characters swim
in. Marco (Vincent Lindon), a veteran naval captain, quits his plush job and
moves to Paris when he hears the news of his brother-in-law Jacques’ suicide
and his young niece (Lola Créton) being admitted to the hospital. As he starts
getting into the cause of these developments a whole can of worms start
emerging, and his focus becomes Edouard (Michel Subor), a tycoon who was a
business associate of Jacques and his wife Sandra (Julie Bataille), Marco’s
shattered and near-bankrupt sister. Though failed business enterprise seemed,
on first glance, the reason for the tragedy, disturbing truths start emerging
eventually. Meanwhile, he also becomes embroiled in a liaison with Edouard’s
mistress Raphaëlle (Chiara Mastroianni, daughter of
Marcello Mastroianni and Catherine Deneuve), who lives with her young son in a
neighboring apartment. The photography which was steeped in darkness, the
minimalist score which comprised principally of guitar strumming, and the
measured pacing, did a great job at evoking mood, atmosphere and tension.
However, the non-linear plot unnecessarily complicated the proceedings, and the
much anticipated resolution, much to my disappointment, never arrived.
p.s. Watched this as part of 2013 Kolkata International Film Festival (KFF)
Director: Claire Denis
Genre: Thriller/Psychological Thriller
Language: French
Country: France
2 comments:
"The photography which was steeped in darkness, the minimalist score which comprised principally of guitar strumming, and the measured pacing, did a great job at evoking mood, atmosphere and tension."
Yep, this is Denis' modus operandi, Shubhajit, though I am saddened to hear that the film (unseen by me) never quite came together despite some attractive qualifications. I know Denis works deliberately (hence the long period between the previous film) and I did like her past efforts a whole lot, especially 35 SHOTS OF RUM and WHITE MATERIAL. In any case this is another excellent and engaging piece of writing!
The reactions to this film were largely mixed despite Denis' name being in the credits, and my reaction to it, too, was exactly that, viz. mixed. Unfortunately, I'm yet to watch 25 Shots of Rum & White Material yet, but I sure will in due course. In fact, this was my 3rd Claire Denis after Trouble in Paradise (which I didn't like at all) & Beau Travail (which I reasonably liked).
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