French Cinema & Documentary Slate Offers Diverse Perspectives This Week
PARIS – A compelling mix of French features and a striking new documentary arrive in theaters this week, offering audiences a range of narratives from intimate character studies to investigations of institutional power. among the highlights are Dominik Moll’s Dossier 137,Alice Douard’s Proofs of love,Eric Besnard’s Jean Valjean,and Gianfranco Rosi’s pompeii. Under the Clouds, alongside Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, Eleanor the Great.
This week’s releases arrive at a moment of heightened scrutiny regarding police conduct and a renewed interest in ancient narratives, alongside a consistent appetite for compelling human stories. Dossier 137 specifically, tackles questions of accountability within law enforcement, while Pompeii. Under the Clouds offers a unique perspective on a well-known historical event. The slate as a whole demonstrates a vibrant period for filmmaking, wiht established directors and new voices alike contributing to a diverse cinematic landscape.
Dossier 137 centers on an investigation launched by the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN) into the events of December 2018 in Paris. The film focuses on Stéphanie (Léa Drucker), and her team as they re-examine the case of Guillaume, a demonstrator injured during “yellow vests” protests after being struck by a defensive bullet launcher (LBD) fired by plainclothes officers near the Champs-elysées. moll’s film builds upon the thematic concerns explored in his 2022 release, the Night of the 12th, utilizing genre conventions to illuminate societal dysfunction.
Shifting focus, Gianfranco Rosi’s Pompeii. Under the Clouds presents a documentary perspective on the ancient Roman city, offering a fresh look at the archaeological site and its surrounding landscape. Meanwhile, French audiences will also have the prospect to see Proofs of Love, directed by Alice Douard, and Jean Valjean, directed by Eric Besnard. Adding to the diverse offerings, actress Scarlett Johansson makes her directorial debut with Eleanor the Great.
