CLAIRE DENIS revisited

[Chris Knipp]

Claire Denis: Chocolat (1988), Trouble Every Day (2001), US Go Home (1994) .
CHOCOLAT (Claire Denis 1988). With a really great filmmaker, a film she made 34 years ago can still seem like exciting news. First time rewatching this stunning debut. When I originally saw it Denis hadn't yet become one of my favorite filmmakers and didn't quite take it in. It's subtle; you must attend closely. It is based on her life to age 12 in Africa (Cameroon), and concretely represents colonialism and race through its action. This becomes pretty complicated as the film progresses but never strays from the basic triangle of the French provincial official, his wife, and the pull between her and their extremely overqualified servant Protée (Isaach De Bankolé), who is also the only friend of the little girl, France. Ebert's original review is good; he got it. Watch the film, read the review. I will try to report on some of Denis' less talked about early films - not available on streaming.

EBERT:"Chocolat" is one of those rare films with an entirely mature, adult sensibility; it is made with the complexity and subtlety of a great short story, and it assumes an audience that can understand what a strong flow of sex can exist between two people who barely even touch each other. It is a deliberately beautiful film - many of the frames create breathtaking compositions - but it is not a travelogue and it is not a love story. It is about how racism can prevent two people from looking each other straight in the eyes, and how they punish each other for the pain that causes them.

TROUBLE EVERY DAY (2001) Made right after BEAU TRAVAIL (1999), which everybody loves so much, and right before FRIDAY NIGHT (2002), this is a cannibal movie and I had to sign up for a free trial on Shudder to watch it. This shows how when you see a bad movie by a filmmaker you admire you start to question your admiration. Featuring Béatrice Dalle, whom I don't like, and Vincent Gallo, who gives me the creeps, as the cannibals, is where things start to go wrong. This uses the same intensely sensual closeup visuals, minimal dialogue, and cross-editing, as L'INTRUS. Maybe here they don't engage, but you can study them cooly. Also am re-watching L'INTRUS in a new very sharp screener. Wanted to watch NÉNETTE ET BONI, but have to get a DVD to do so.

TOUS LES GARÇONS ET LES FILLES DE LEUR AGE/aka/US GO HOME (1994), one episode of a TV series. See IMDb for a description of the series and its impressive lineup of directors. Free on YouTube. First appearance in a Denis film of her regular Grégoire Colin, then 18 or so. Theme: The Sixties, its American music, French teens seeking to get laid. Colin is the brother of two siblings who go to a dance party with that purpose. Agnès Godard's camera. Vincent Gallo is also featured as a US Army officer, "Captain Brown." It is drenched in catchy American soul/op music and, with a military base nearby, a love-hate attitude toward Yanks prevails.


[CHOCOLAT, FINAL SCENE]