Partisan movie suggests an unnerving potential future

The other day I sidled into Luna Cinema for a sneaky midweek movie. On offer was a light hearted romantic comedy or a gritty drama. With clear blue autumn skies shinning outside it seemed wrong to be sitting indoors, I should choose the comedy, but no the drama won out and I’m so pleased it did. Partisan is definitely one to watch.

Thanks to Studio Canal

When the film opened on a desolate grey landscape, images that won this years Sundance World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury award, I pondered whether I’d done the right thing.

Thanks to Studio Canal

Thanks to Studio Canal

But watching the main character Gregori (Vincent Cassel) scrounging for discarded lamps, chairs, and building materials to take back to a hidden lair, I was hooked.

Thanks to Studio Canal

Home constructed it was time to add a family. This was achieved by Gregori charming a single mother Susanna (Florence Mezzara) who, along with her new born son Alexander (Jeremy Chabriel), were the first members of the brood. Over the years as Alex grew into an 11 year old boy, the family grew to six mothers and children with Gregori presiding over them all as the only alpha male.

Thanks to Studio Canal

Watching on it looked like paradise. The mothers got on, chores were shared, and the respectful children played happily when not being home-schooled. But soon the home-schooling took a sinister turn as we watched one of the young boys role-playing. He knocked on a front door, engaged the occupant and then shot her dead. His reward … Gregori’s praise and singing karaoke at night.

Thanks to Studio Canal

Thanks to Studio Canal

When a new mother and her withdrawn, less compliant son joins the family Gregori finds his authority being challenged for the first time. Things escalate and when the mother and son disappear one night and Alexander comes to realise that his father figure may not be all that he seems, he lies, the ultimate betrayal for any child.

Thanks to Studio Canal

All trust in  his father figure is lost and when Alex’s mother has another baby, a little brother, Alex promises to protect them, a strong statement for someone highly skilled in handling a gun.

Thanks to Studio Canal

Thanks to Studio Canal

As I sat watching the credits role I pondered …

1. Partisan reminded me of a modern day Oliver with Cassel making a fantastic Fagan. I was drawn to this movie because of Cassel and his performance was mesmerising as usual.
2. What a brilliant entrance for first time feature director Ariel Kleiman who trained at the Victorian College of the Arts.
3. I was intrigued to hear that Kleiman and his screenwriting partner got the idea from a newspaper article about stolen innocence.
4. Past reports of children being used in combat make this movie all the more poignant.

I wish I could tell you the ending but it’s one you have to see for yourself.

For times go to Luna Cinema