The Minister (L'exercice de l'État)

Dir: Pierre Schoeller (2011)

OFFICIAL SELECTION: UN CERTAIN REGARD, CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2011

WINNER: FIPRESCI AWARD, CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2011

WINNER: BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY, BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, CESAR AWARDS 2012

WINNER: CRITICS' AWARD FOR BEST FILM, FRENCH SYNDICATE OF CINEMA CRITICS 2012

WINNER: BEST SCREENPLAY, LUMIERE AWARDS 2012

WINNER: BEST ACTOR, BEST SOUND, MAGRITTE AWARDS 2011

WINNER: BEST ACTOR, MAR DEL PLATA FILM FESTIVAL 2011

The political process is often downgraded in contemporary society, reduced to cliché and soundbite. Pierre Schoeller’s gripping debut film puts the daily process of politics under the spotlight as the viewer follows the well-intentioned reactions of the French transport minister as he falls under attack from all sides. While the action is all French, the responses and the outcomes are absolutely universal. The cast excel (Olivier Gourmet is perfection as the Minister, and Michel Blanc won a Cesar for Best Supporting Actor, and Zabou Brietman’s energy as the press secretary shows her at her very best), and it’s worth noting that director Schoeller also won a Cesar for best score. The atmospheric soundtrack helps ramp up the tension in a film that’s impossible to look away from. The moments of humour recall “In the Loop”, or “The Thick Of It”, but the level of drama escalates to dizzying levels, and truths are bought home more than once.

DVD $29.95