The Devils

Colour, 35 mm
France, 2002, 105 min
Section: Another View
Oficiální stránky: www.wildbunch.biz

Synopsis

Twelve-year-old Chloé doesn’t speak, can’t stand any physical contact and is dependent on her same-aged brother Joseph. The two suffer from the fact that their parents abandoned them when they were small: the pair have been transferred from one institution to another ever since. Joseph’s love for Chloé is boundless; he would do anything for her. His constant fear is that someone will separate them. That will ultimately happen, however, since they are growing up and are now forced to live in separate (boys’ and girls’) sections of the institution. But in addition, Chloé needs special attention to help her cope with the surrounding world. Their lack of confidence in adults is already so great that any attempt to “save” them is rejected. Chloé and Joseph always escape, thereby distancing themselves from “normal” life – something they have never experienced, so they’ve got nothing to lose. This powerful story about the complete social alienation of two adolescents and their road to premature adulthood will linger long in the memory. The film excels for the kids’ strong performances.

About the director

Christophe Ruggia (b. 1965, France) writes his films as well, and excels at portraying the world of kids, as in Les diables. The film was screened at the 2002 Namur International Festival of Francophone Film. Filmography: L´enfance égaré (1993), The Kid from Chaaba (Le gone du Chaaba, 1998), The Devils (Les diables, 2002).