Wednesday means cinema. Today, we’re offering you our selection of films for the week, to help guide you through the darkened theaters.
1. I Will Always See Your Faces by Jeanne Herry
After “Pupille,” Jeanne Herry delves into the realm of justice, focusing on the consequences of a crime on a human being, both as a victim and an offender. Nassim (Dali Benssalah), Issa, and Thomas, convicted of violent thefts, Grégoire, Nawelle (Leïla Bekhti) and Sabine, victims of home invasions, robberies, and snatch thefts, and Chloé (Adèle Exarchopoulos), a victim of incestuous rape, all choose to engage in Restorative Justice measures. Established in France in 2014, the program offers secure exchanges between perpetrators and victims of similar offenses. The French director presents a poignant film retracing heart-wrenching, violent life stories, but above all, souls seeking repair, solace, purpose or understanding. Will they find what they came for, through hard work and resilience?
2. Shazam! Fury of the Gods by David F. Sandberg
Fury of the Gods is the second installment in the adventures of a very unique superhero, a teen named Billy Batson. To gain his superpowers, all he has to do is speak the magic word: “Shazam!” The flip side: he also turns into an adult. Alongside his family, he must face the wrath of the Daughters of Atlas, a trio of vengeful ancient goddesses coming to Earth to reclaim the magic that was stolen from them. A battle ensues between two sides determined to defend their interests. But can a bunch of teenagers really prevent the world’s destruction? And more importantly, does Billy even want to…?
3. Good Conduct by Johnatan Barré
With “Good Conduct”, the director presents an original and quirky crime comedy. And amusingly parodic. By day, she’s a driving school instructor and psychologist at a points recovery center; by night, Pauline Cloarec (Laure Calamy) is a serial killer of reckless drivers, leading a double life “in the fast lane.” By running these courses, she can choose her perfect victim, the reckless driver to be assassinated. A rather unique method of road safety advocacy.
4. Seven Winters in Tehran by Steffi Niederzoll
In 2007 in Tehran, Reyhaneh Jabbari, 19, stabbed the man about to rape her. Accused of murder, she was sentenced to death by the Iranian government. She was hanged in 2014 after an unfair trial, becoming, against her will, the face of the feminist struggle in the country and internationally. Through clandestinely filmed archival footage, the German director immerses viewers in the fight of her family determined to save her from her dire fate. A necessary and committed documentary depicting the harrowing reality of women’s rights in Iran.
5. Apaches by Romain Quirot
Romain Quirot presents a dramatic story in the style of a western set in a Paris at the dawn of the 20th century, plagued by gangs spreading terror: the Apaches. Seeking revenge, a rebellious young woman joins one of them, ready to go to any lengths out of love for her lost brother. However, she finds herself in a situation far from what she imagined, due to a man named Jesus. She risks jeopardizing the reason she joined in the first place…
