#16. Claire Denis’ Bastards
Gist: Container ship captain Marco Silvestri is called urgently back to Paris. His sister, Sandra, is desperate… her husband has committed suicide, the family business has gone under, her daughter has been admitted into psychiatric care. Sandra accuses the powerful businessman, Edouard Laporte of being responsible. Determined to find the businessman’s weak spot and exact a terrible revenge for the violence done to his family, Marco moves into the building where Laporte’s mistress, Raphaëlle, lives with her son. Headlining the feature are Vincent Lindon (who starred in her 2002 film, Friday Night) and Chiara Mastroianni. Enough said.
Prediction: Denis is another name it’s hard to believe hasn’t competed more in the Cannes Main Competition, with her 1988 debut, Chocolat, being her only title to bear that distinction. That said, she’s been selected five times for Venice. Should Wild Bunch attempt to seduce the Croisette, we’re predicting an entry in the Main Competition for one of the best directors working today.
