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.
