Film: Je Veux Voir
Release date: 22nd February 2010
Certificate: 15Release date: 22nd February 2010
Running time: 69 mins
Director: Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil JoreigeGenreStarring: Catherine Deneuve, Rabih Mroué
Genre: DocumentaryStudio: Soda
Format: DVD
Country: France/Lebanon
Je Veux Voir sees famed European actress Catherine Deneuve travel to Lebanon to shoot a documentary about the war-savaged country – illustrating the destruction caused by two wars, and the efforts to transform this city of ruins.
As we see everything through Deneuve's eyes, we are placed in the same position as the protagonist - an uncertain place to be, unsure of where we are or what will happen. We must rely entirely on Rabih Mroué, who is the driver, and therefore the decision maker. He is also the ‘local’, with the answer to her, and therefore our, questions.
At times we may feel on edge. After all, one wrong turning can, and does, find us in the middle of an area full of landmines. The shaky home video footage, long pauses and eerie background music certainly aid the edgy atmosphere. Though very little actually occurs, our interest is sustained throughout the course of this very short film by the unusual position we occupy as an audience.
The ‘taxi journey’ takes us around Beirut, into the village where Mroué grew up, so unrecognizable now that he cannot work out where his house should be, to the border with Israel and along the coast. Here we witness the ruins of houses being smashed into pieces and dropped into the sea - this is one way to deal with a troubled past; destroy it, bury it, and pretend it never happened. Such an attitude clearly pains Mroué, and leaves us with a lot to think about, especially as the film's closing location, a star-studded party, is in direct contrast. Reality becomes superficiality, and we realise how easy it would be to forget…
Je Veux Voir is more of a documentary than a film, yet this film does not easily fit into the docu-film genre. Although it has more of the feel of a documentary about it, being short and realistic, it lacks one essential ingredient: we don’t actually learn anything. However, it soon becomes clear that this film is more striking by what it is not, and what it has not, than by what it actually provides - deficient in humour, action, dialogue and even cast members.
There may not a lot to laugh about, as we are dealing with sombre topics, and serious actors, yet Je Veux Voir is still accessible. Perhaps because it is so short and has such a strong and recognisable cast (Deneuve and Mroué - no-one else really gets a look-in). Or perhaps because the subject matter, the Middle East, is such a hot topic right now.
It is an unusual film, as it is extremely honest. Setting, cast, action, and even the passage of time stick very close to reality. The audience really partakes in the discovery of Beirut, along with Deneuve. Rarely are the two separated - only in the moments when Rabih lapses into Arabic - and we can assume that Deneuve does not understand, but we have the benefit of subtitles. But then again, she has an advantage over us, at times, when she is allowed to go where the camera cannot. Ironic, perhaps, as we come to share in Deneuve's desire to see (je veux voir meaning “I want to see”).
We do see Lebanon, and we are shown the destruction caused by war, but we are not told what to think. This is a thought-provoking film, with more than a hint of melancholy. Such a lot said in so few words. A simple and striking film.
As we see everything through Deneuve's eyes, we are placed in the same position as the protagonist - an uncertain place to be, unsure of where we are or what will happen. We must rely entirely on Rabih Mroué, who is the driver, and therefore the decision maker. He is also the ‘local’, with the answer to her, and therefore our, questions.
At times we may feel on edge. After all, one wrong turning can, and does, find us in the middle of an area full of landmines. The shaky home video footage, long pauses and eerie background music certainly aid the edgy atmosphere. Though very little actually occurs, our interest is sustained throughout the course of this very short film by the unusual position we occupy as an audience.
The ‘taxi journey’ takes us around Beirut, into the village where Mroué grew up, so unrecognizable now that he cannot work out where his house should be, to the border with Israel and along the coast. Here we witness the ruins of houses being smashed into pieces and dropped into the sea - this is one way to deal with a troubled past; destroy it, bury it, and pretend it never happened. Such an attitude clearly pains Mroué, and leaves us with a lot to think about, especially as the film's closing location, a star-studded party, is in direct contrast. Reality becomes superficiality, and we realise how easy it would be to forget…
Je Veux Voir is more of a documentary than a film, yet this film does not easily fit into the docu-film genre. Although it has more of the feel of a documentary about it, being short and realistic, it lacks one essential ingredient: we don’t actually learn anything. However, it soon becomes clear that this film is more striking by what it is not, and what it has not, than by what it actually provides - deficient in humour, action, dialogue and even cast members.
There may not a lot to laugh about, as we are dealing with sombre topics, and serious actors, yet Je Veux Voir is still accessible. Perhaps because it is so short and has such a strong and recognisable cast (Deneuve and Mroué - no-one else really gets a look-in). Or perhaps because the subject matter, the Middle East, is such a hot topic right now.
It is an unusual film, as it is extremely honest. Setting, cast, action, and even the passage of time stick very close to reality. The audience really partakes in the discovery of Beirut, along with Deneuve. Rarely are the two separated - only in the moments when Rabih lapses into Arabic - and we can assume that Deneuve does not understand, but we have the benefit of subtitles. But then again, she has an advantage over us, at times, when she is allowed to go where the camera cannot. Ironic, perhaps, as we come to share in Deneuve's desire to see (je veux voir meaning “I want to see”).
We do see Lebanon, and we are shown the destruction caused by war, but we are not told what to think. This is a thought-provoking film, with more than a hint of melancholy. Such a lot said in so few words. A simple and striking film.
