Being Light

Colour, 35mm
France, 2001, 95 min
Section: Jean-Marc Barr

Synopsis

Simple, 25-year-old Maxime Lecocq arrives in Paris. This foreigner who wanders aimlessly through the unfamiliar city knows what he wants: he has his dream of love, his sensitivity, intuition and luck. All this leads him to a bar in the Raphael hotel where he meets the wealthy American businessman Jack Lesterhoof. Since Jack’s interpreter was ousted from the game by a heart attack, the American hires Maxime for an important business meeting. But Jack and Maxime find that their bond is stronger than that of a boss and his employee, equipped as the latter is with the ability not only to interpret words but also the feelings and longings of himself and the world around him. Maxime inspires the businessman to travel with him on a journey to the world of dreams – to distant, exotic India. His encounter with a world so different from his own is a completely new experience for the pragmatic Jack. Their encounter with the nun Justine, however, proves consequential for both of them, a woman linked with Maxime’s past and perhaps also his future. Justine becomes their companion on a quest to find the equilibrium of light and life. This journey, however, not only brings joy to the young woman and her companions, but also pain and disenchantment.