A Double Feature of Claire Denis’ and Lynne Ramsay’s Classics at Frida Cinema
Film
Beau Travail by Claire Denis.
Don’t miss a night of international classics, by two leading female directors, including Beau Travail by Claire Denis and Lynne Ramsay’s Ratcatcher (a French co-production), on July 30 and July 31.
Beau Travail by Claire Denis.
Winner of several international awards, including the Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Foreign Language Film, Beau Travail is a mesmerizing and visually arresting film that reimagines Herman Melville’s “Billy Budd” against the stark, sun-drenched landscapes of Djibouti. The story centers on the enigmatic and disciplined Sergeant Galoup (masterfully played by Denis Lavant), who serves in the French Foreign Legion. Galoup’s psyche unravels into a web of jealousy and repressed desire when he encounters a young, charismatic recruit named Sentain (Grégoire Colin), leading to a deep obsession deftly communicated by a series of intense, almost dreamlike sequences. Denis’s masterful direction, combined with Agnès Godard’s stunning cinematography, creates a hypnotic, meditative experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
France, 1999, New Yorker Films, Drama, 92 mins, in French, Greek, Italian, Russian with English subtitles
Co-written and directed by: Claire Denis
Starring: Denis Lavant, Michel Subor, Grégoire Colin
Ratcatcher by Lynne Ramsay. Courtesy of Janus Films.
Ratcatcher by Lynne Ramsay.
Nominated for the Un Certain Regard award at the Cannes Film Festival, and winner of the Best Director award from Chicago International Film Festival and London Critics Circle, Ratcatcher is a haunting and poetic exploration of childhood set against the backdrop of 1973 Glasgow. The film follows a 12-year-old hoy named James (William Eadie) as he navigates a world marred by poverty, neglect, and a city’s ongoing garbage strike. Following a tragic accident involving a friend, James struggles with feelings of guilt and isolation, finding solace in dreams of escaping his squalid surroundings. A poignant blend of stark realism and lyrical imagery, capturing the fragile beauty of a child’s perspective amidst harsh realities, Ratcatcher received wide critical and audience acclaim for its evocative storytelling, and Ramsay’s distinct directorial voice.
UK/France, 1999, Janus Films, Drama, 94 mins, in English
Written and directed by: Lynne Ramsay
Starring: Tommy Flanagan, Mandy Matthews
This double feature is part of the “Party Like It’s 1999” series.
To buy tickets for July 30, click here.
To buy tickets for July 31, click here.