Inguélézi (2004)
Directed by François Dupeyron

Film Review

Inguélézi is a film that probably has a greater resonance ten years on than when it was made, the plight of immigrants in search of a better life being something that we in the privileged west are now more acutely aware of. It's an unusual departure for director François Dupeyron, not only with regard to its subject matter but also its style. In stark contrast to the epic feel of La Chambre des officiers (2001), the director's best known and most highly regarded film so far, Inguélézi has a raw intimacy which arises as much from its confined scope as its modest means of production, on a micro-budget and filmed with a hand-held digital video camera.

In his third film for Dupeyron, Eric Caravaca gives a harrowingly convincing portrayal of an immigrant desperate to find a life for himself, and Marie Payen is equally impressive as a woman coming to terms with a painful bereavement. It seems unlikely that two such contrasting characters could develop any kind of meaningful rapport but somehow affection and a shared understanding finds away to blossom and it is a tribute to both actors that the relationship feels natural and credible. The film's raw cinéma vérité style is appropriate but tends to distance the spectator from the protagonists, preventing us from fully engaging with them as it is such a clunky and obvious cinematic device. Whilst it has less emotional power than Dupeyron's previous films, including his easily overlooked C'est quoi la vie? (1999), Inguélézi impresses as much with its its raw humanity as its topicality.

Film Synopsis

Geneviève is unsure how she is going to cope after the sudden death of her husband.  After dropping her daughter off at her mother's, she takes to the road and is so wrapped up in her grief that she scarcely notices the world around her.  In the darkness of the night the spectacle of a lorry in flames is hard to miss.  It seems that the lorry was loaded with illegal immigrants, many of whom will most likely have perished in the fire.

Once the police have turned up to attend to the incident, Geneviève continues on her way.  Back home, she opens the boot of her car and is surprised to find a young man inside.  Exhausted and frightened, the only word the stranger can utter is Inguélézi.  Unable to explain why, Geneviève feels compelled to take pity on the unfortunate wretch.  She takes him under her wing and agrees to help him fulfil his dream - to travel to England...