No. 25 (2022) BETWEEN TWO WORLDS (OUISTREHAM; Palace French Film Festival, Perth) MARCH 22nd.

 

Film No. 25 (2022)  March 22nd.  1.30 PM   Cinema 1.  LUNA,  Leederville. 

"Care to explain why you are chasing after cleaning jobs? I have read your book". (Marianne is "busted" by her job seeker mentor early in her plan).

Two words came to mind when watching OUISTREHAM; Loach and Nomadland. The realism and use of untrained actors, playing themselves is a technique U.K. mastermind Ken Loach has used for years, and Frances McDormand played alongside everyday people in last year's Academy Award winner. Emmanuel Carrere (Director) and Juliette Binoche, respectively, repeat the dose here. To good effect.

The real life tale stems around journalist/author Florence Aubenas. She was not gaining publishers' attention with her writing, so she embarked on a new project. Her idea was to  get a job as a cleaner and gain an insight into the lives and conditions of a workforce (comprised of mainly women) who had few options, but made the best of their lot. She would then write the stories of these women. The book was a best seller.

Here Carrere has taken the idea and made OUISTREHAM. Using a class performer, Binoche as journo/writer Marianne Winckler (shades of NOMADLAND), then surrounding her with non-professional actors (NOMADLAND + Ken Loach style) to play hard working cleaners the film creates a wonderful sense of realistic authenticity. The theme is less of an informative working class revelations piece and more about the power of emotional attachment when it comes to meeting good people in any stage of life's journey.

There is nothing new when it comes to editorial comment here. The fact good people work hard to complete tasks the rest of us take for granted is always worth reinforcing. A reminder about lives of the less privileged is always worth telling. The film's triumph comes in the form of Binoche and her work with actors less experienced. The art and skill they show in front of camera is seamlessly convincing. Binoche convinced Aubanes that her writing would translate to screen well. Aubanes is reported to be pleased with this translation. It was a very personal journal and Binoche gave her persona the right touch. 9GUMS.