The adults in the room may be battling for dominance, but in the end, it’s the one who considers the long-term consequences and deeper implications who truly claims the last word. Comme le feu (aka Who by Fire) delves into the fragility of male egos when entangled in complex power dynamics. Much like navigating a wild, choppy river or a dense forest, the film keeps us disoriented, uncertain of the terrain—where a single moment can bloom into deeply rooted resentment. The “last word” also happens to be filmmaker Philippe Lesage’s gin-based cocktail of choice, and like the ensemble cast here, it’s a blend of ingredients you’re not entirely sure will work together. Yet, in this slow-cooked, observational talkie that bridges generational divides and unpacks long-held grudges, Lesage keeps us continually guessing and deeply invested. The film meticulously dissects the small fractures in relationship dynamics, the lingering traumas of its characters, and the possibility of reconciliation—both with others and within oneself. By the end, you may emerge burned, scorched, and forever changed, but you’ll undoubtedly want to meet your heroes. In step with Lesage’s earlier works like Les Démons and Genèse, Comme le feu cements Lesage as a master of his craft — and like the best films of 2024 – we have a film runtime that places us in the eye of the storm and impromptu dance party.
Shot by cinematographer Balthazar Lab, Comme le feu premiered at the Berlinale last February, with subsequent stops at NYFF and, more recently, a hometown showcase at Cinemania. A U.S. release is slated for the first quarter of next year. In my conversation with Lesage, we delved into the film’s visual blueprint—particularly the three distinct long-take dinner sequences. We explored the challenges of directing a multi-actor ensemble (led by Noah Parker, Arieh Worthalter, and Aurélia Arandi-Longpré, among a diverse international cast) and Lesage’s deliberate choice to subtly diverge from, and then return to, the film’s moral center. Here is our conversation.
