Synopsis
“No more smirking. We’re stopping the bullshit right now and staying put.” The regular army is preparing to reestablish order in the country. To clean up. To eliminate the rebel officer also known as The Boxer and rid the countryside of roving child soldiers. All the expatriates have gone home, getting out before things turn nasty. Of the Vials – coffee planters who have lived here for two generations – Maria stands firm. She’s not about to give in to rumors or abandon her harvest at the first sound of gunfire. Just like her father-in-law and her ex-husband who is also the father of her son (a little too much of a slacker in her opinion) she is convinced that Cherif, mayor of the neighboring town, will protect them. If she asks him, he will save the plantation. He has a personal guard, a private militia of tough guys, heavily armed and well trained.
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)
