Angel at Sea

I saw Angel at Sea at the Karlovy Vary film festival this year and knew immediately this film should definitely be among the finalists for the Crystal Globe. So when the film took the prize in the end, I felt the jury chose the best picture adequately.

Set in sunny Morocco, the film tells a story about a family of an EU lawyer relocated there and especially focuses on the relationship of a twelve-year old boy Louis with his manic-depressive father. When the father tells Louis that he plans to commit suicide one day and makes the boy keep it secret between the two of them, a special relationship between them develops with Louis doing all he can not to let his father slip away while the rest of the family has trouble grasping what is going on.

Dumont shot this film partially based on his own experience with his father and that is indisputably one of the reasons why it feels to real and honest.

However, there is much more that makes the film an unforgettable and unnerving experience. From a wonderful photography, scenes that are so visually and artistically spot on in every frame, the right pace of the film that never lets you breath out during the entire film, and performances of all the actors, the film is a diamond-like masterpiece, an excellent psychological study where you can hardly find a weak spot.

An excellent directorial debut for Dumont, and I'm looking forward to see more from this promising director.

Young Louis and his family live in a nice neighbourhood in the picturesque village of Sidi Ifni on the Moroccan coast. His father suffers from severe depression, the impact of which is not fully appreciated by his mother or older brother. His father refuses to get help and withdraws totally into his office where he spends his days working, or more often brooding in silence. One day he shares a secret with Louis after swearing him to secrecy. This terrible secret would have a profound impact on Louis' once happy life. From now on the boy would shadow his father, with major ramifications for the boy.

The title refers to a French poem, as well as the role that Louis tries to play in his father's life.

This is in every respect a well-crafted film. The drama unfolding at home is handled with restraint and subtlety, the acting by Martin Nissen (Louis) and Olivier Gourmet (his father), in particular, is truly outstanding. Their body language and facial expressions say more than words could do. The cinematography is imaginative and reflects the troubled nature of the subject matter. Indeed, the camera-work is some of the best I had seen in quite some time. The soundtrack should be mentioned too, with haunting North African melodies adding to the melancholic ambiance of this outstanding film. 9/10.

Fedric Dumonts debut feature that was a well deserved winner at the 2009 Karlovy Vary International Film Fest Crystal Globe for best film and actor. A Psychological look at a father and son relationship. A manic depressive and suicidal man confides the trust of his son to keep a dark secret with devastating consequences takes a toll on the whole family. Beautifully shot flawlessly written and directed this gem of a film deserved more exposure than what it got internationally. Olivier Gouurmet and Martin Nissen give outstanding performances. I cant wait to see what else Fredric Dumont will create with his gifted talent. Take not American film makers this is great film making.