Film No. 5. HOLY COW (VINGT DIEUX) (2025). 15th Jan.

 

Film No. 5 (2025)  January 15th.  8:00 PM SOMERVILLE Outdoor U.W.A.                       

"I don't know what else to do." (Totone answers the question of girlfriend Marie-Lise as to why he needs to make cheese).

WINNER: Uncertain Regard (Youth Prize) (Louise Courvoisier) Cannes FF (2024).

 

When it comes to cinema, pound for pound, who can match it with the French? Maybe I'm exaggerating, but the question did cross my mind as I walked, under a star lit sky, after viewing VINGT DIEUX (COW); a coming of age delight!

Why such a sweeping question, then? The fact that 90% of the cast had never performed in front of a camera before, for a start. Louise Courvoisier writes and directs her first feature on a shoestring budget. Not to mention, the "coming of age" genre is always harshly judged. But our journey with Totone (Clement Faveau), an 18 year old titan of energy and resilience, sparks our senses in a way rarely experienced. And get this; it's a ninety minute feature where not a moment is wasted or elongated. COW is a triumph. Every cliché is evident, but Courvoisier never allows us to predict an outcome with assuredness. Then leaves us with a warm sense of hope for Totone and his playful sister, Claire (Luna Garret). 

So, back to my original question. The one about, the French, their films and why they create such original cinema. Here, we have, a young artist in her late twenties with a coming of age idea, using non actors, and set in a region familiar to her.  Also, she's never made a feature film before. Who backs this young writer/director? Only in France, could this happen, I'd say. Brilliant!   11 GUMS.