No. 22 (2022) GOLIATH (Palace, French Film Festival. PERTH) March 10th.

 

Film No. 22 (2022)  March 10th.  1.30 PM   Cinema 1.  LUNA,  Leederville. 

"I just want my words to be heard. I have no strength to go on"(cancer patient Margot's partner records her last words before sending a copy to lawyer Patrick).

This dense film tells the story of the injustices meted out to people who accept the necessity of using strong chemicals to increase crop yields, only to be struck by the true devastation of corporate moral bankruptcy when loved ones are affected. But it is not based on a true story as the opening credits suggest ... it is an idea based on a new law devised, or better still, proposed by the French government.

In 1917, Emmanuel Macron gave his "presidential word" that cancer causing glyphosate, the deadly chemical used in herbicides would be banned within three years. This is a promise that has never been kept. Director Frederic Tellier (SK1), along with his fellow writers Ballan and Moutairou have created a drama illustrating what the repercussions of that decision might look like.

It's a solid drama, but there are too many clichéd moments for GOLIATH to be an excellent film. Entertaining and worth a look, it certainly is.

Lawyer Patrick Fameau is a man of the people. His client (a physical education teacher) is the sister of a cancer patient who died. They desperately seek answers from Phytosanis, the corporate giant that produces Tetrazine, a weed killer used mainly in agriculture. The story gathers momentum as more and more people join the quest to bring the Goliath (Phytosanis) to it's knees. The face of "evil" comes in the form of executive Mathias, brilliantly played by Pierre Niney.

So, is justice served? Do the people, through weight of numbers bring "Goliath" to a moral standard more akin to life in a civilized society?  The films strength comes from not getting bogged down in courtroom melodrama. There are twists along the way but nothing too unpredictable. More importantly, we are reminded that when pushed, the vulnerable have a voice.  8GUMS.