Film No. 54 (2020) Sept. 6th. 11:15 AM PALACE Raine Square, Perth City.
"I wanted to show the incredible diversity of these neighbourhoods. I still live there. It's my life. I love filming there. It's my set." (Director Ladj Ly describes with passion why he shot Les Miserables where he did).
One of the iconic titles defining French literature, headlines this wonderful cinema experience, and it's strikingly familiar to Hugo's original story. The fly on the wall, contemporary experience of working out of the pockets of Paris street policemen, Ruiz (Damien Bonnard),Chris (Alexis Manenti) and Gwada (Djebril Zonga) as they attempt to calm the streets, is the technique director Ladj Ly uses to tell this tale of upheaval and revolt. In what can only be described as possibly the best debut feature of 2019/20, Ly takes us into the streets he grew up on and still lives in. He asks questions about race, religion, violence as a solution, morals compromised, corruption (the symbol of Ruiz receiving a kebab on his first day), judgement, compromise, conciliation, compassion and so much more. Bonnard is brilliantly communicative (camera close-up of his alert, dark eyes) as the quietly observant rookie on the beat. He's our hero, our control, and he offers an alternative to impulsive problem solving necessary in the chaos of their street work. Decisions made that will lead to a climax which parallels Hugo's original tale. I can't wait for Ly's next feature. He's sure to be filming somewhere among his people again. 11GUMS.
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