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Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Few film-makers are as divisive as Bruno Dumont (Flanders, Hadewijch) and his sixth feature will either confirm acclamations or reinforce prejudices about his highly challenging work. Once again making no narrative or stylistic concessions, Dumont descends on a hamlet in northern France, chronicling the unconventional relationship between a mysterious guy (David Dewaele) who survives on charitable handouts while wandering the beaches and marshland, and a goth girl (Alexandra Lemâtre) who seeks his advice in dealing with her abusive stepfather. But it remains unclear whether the man is an angel or a demon, as he commits murder, conducts a Brimstone and Treacle-type exorcism on a child and seduces a backpacker to the point of delirious ecstasy. Indeed, Dumont offers few clues as to the message (if any) he is striving to convey. But this approach forces viewers to engage with the consciously sketchy characters and Yves Cape's bleak imagery in order to derive their own meaning.

How to watch

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Credits

Cast

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The GuyDavid Dewaele
The GirlAlexandra Lemâtre
GuardChristophe Bon
KidJuliette Bacquet
BackpackerAurore Broutin
Kid's motherSonia Barthelemy

Crew

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DirectorBruno Dumont

Details

Theatrical distributor
New Wave Films
Released on
2012-12-21
Languages
French
Available on
DVD
Formats
Colour
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