L’INTRUS

Claire Denis

France 130 min Fiction

Synopsis

Louis, a man nearing 70, lives alone with dogs in the forest near the French-Swiss border. He has heart problems, seeks a transplant, and then goes in search of a son sired years before in Tahiti. Told elliptically, with few words, we see Louis as possibly heartless, ignoring a son who lives nearby who is himself an attentive father to two young children, one named for Louis. He leaves his bed one night – and his lover – to kill an intruder. Will his body accept his heart? Will his son accept his offer?

Filmmaker

Claire Denis

She is one of the most important filmmakers on the contemporary film scene. She grew up in Africa, an experience that is reflected in several of her films. She studied at IDHEC and, after having been an assistant to Jacques Rivette, Jim Jarmusch and Wim Wenders, she made her feature debut in 1988 with Chocolat. Her cinema crosses genres and themes, and has been awarded in Cannes, San Sebastián, Berlin and Locarno, among others. In 2012 D’A dedicated her a retrospective.

Filmography: Fire (2022), Stars at Noon (2022, D'A 2023), High Life (2018), Dark Glasses (2017), Voilà l'enchaînement (mid-length film, 2014), Bastards (2013), To the Devil (mid-length film, 2011, D'A 2012), White Material (2009, D'A 2012), 35 Shots of Rum (2008, D'A 2012), Towards Mathilde (2005), The Intruder (2004, D'A 2012), Vendredi soir (2002, D'A 2012), Trouble Every Day (2001, D'A 2012), Beau travail (1999, D'A 2012), Nénette et Boni (1996, D'A 2012), I Can't Sleep (1994, D'A 2012), Keep It for Yourself (mid-length film, 1991), No Fear, No Die (1990, D'A 2012), Man no Run (1989), Chocolat (1988, D'A 2012), Le 15 mai (short film, 1971)

Claire Denis

Film information

Original Title: The Intruder
Director: Claire Denis
Script: Claire Denis, Jean-Pol Fargeau
Contact: Pyramide International
With: Michel Subor, Béatrice Dalle, Grégoire Colin, Katia Golubeva, Bambou, Florence Loiret, Lolita Chammah, Alex Descas
Country: France
Year: 2004
Format: 35 mm
Length: 130 min
Language: French
Subtitles: Catalan/English
Edition: 2012